By Rita Oyiboka/Favour Akponovwe
IN a bid to bolster fire fighting and preventive measures in the state, the Delta State Fire Service has conducted a training exercise at the Delta Printing and Publishing Corporation (DPPC), publisher of The Pointer Newspaper titles.
The session, led by Fire Superintendent, Benjamin Aladino, equipped The Pointer staff with essential knowledge and skills to prevent, prepare for, and respond to fire emergencies.
Speaking at the occasion, Aladino noted that fire incidents can occur unexpectedly, and individuals and organizations must be prepared.
“Armed with essential knowledge and skills, people can prevent, prepare for, and respond to fire emergencies.
“By understanding the fundamental elements of fire – heat, oxygen, and fuel – and learning how to eliminate them through smoldering, cooling, or starvation, people can take proactive steps to safeguard themselves and their surroundings from the devastating effects of fire,” he said.
The training further covered critical topics, including fire prevention measures, emergency evacuation procedures, and the effective use of fire extinguishers.
Aladino also provided the channels for contacting the state fire service in case of a emergency, stressing the need for timeliness and specifying location and other information.
Addressing prevalent misconceptions, the fire superintendent said people ignorantly believe that the fire service is a paid service and generally perceive lack of diesel and water as permanent problems.
In his words: “The state fire service offers free services, and its officials are paid by the state government and not victims of fire. The state fire service will never complain of lack of diesel or water. There is always an overhead tank filled with water at the base and diesel to run vehicles.”
The training session was highly interactive, with staff members actively participating in simulations and hands-on demonstrations.
