FEMA TAKES FIRE DISASTER RESPONSE SENSITIZATION TO MARKETS
By: Prudence Okonna
Following the incessant fire outbreaks recently recorded in some parts of the Federal Capital City, the FCT Emergency Management Agency(FEMA) has taken fire disaster response sensitization to Karimo Market.
The Acting Director, Forecasting Response, and Mitigation, FEMA, Florence Wenegieme while speaking to the market community said it was pertinent to conduct the sensitization following the instruction of the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello on the need for everyone to have basic knowledge of responding to disasters, especially fire disasters.
Wenegieme noted that because of the dry season, it had become easy for fire outbreaks to occur, hence why the market community must follow preventive measures in place nothing that more markets will be visited.
While stating that the FCT had recorded five fire disasters within the FCT, she cautioned that cooking in the market, storing or selling petrol/Kerosine, and leaving on electrical appliances could trigger fire outbreaks.
Wenegieme, however, noted that in the eventuality of any fire outbreak, the market community is the first responders emphasizing that every shop must have fire extinguishers or fire blankets in other to respond to fires when they occur.
Her words: “We want to plead with you to have fire extinguishers or blankets in your shops to be able to respond to such incidents when they occur”
While demonstrating Simulation and drills with fire extinguishers, a representative of the Federal Fire Service, said every first responder to a fire outbreak must not stand in the direction of the fire to restrict oxygen using a fire blanket.
The Demonstrator further emphasised the need for shop owners to use the portable fire extinguishers pending when the firemen arrive.
Appreciating FEMA for its timely visit, the Secretary of the Karimo Traders Association, Onah Emmanuel Ejiofor, said the sensitization is important for them to understand best how to situations of outbreaks.
