Lagos boosts fire response capacity with 11 public stations, 685 new firefighters

Lagos State has significantly bolstered its emergency response capabilities with the induction of 150 newly recruited firefighters and the commissioning of the Oworonshoki Fire Station. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu presided over the ceremony, marking a substantial expansion of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service under his administration.

The 150 firefighters completed a rigorous six-month training program at the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service Technical Training Centre in Ikeja, earning their Basic Firefighting Competency Certificate. This latest recruitment drive represents the third phase of expansion for the service under Governor Sanwo-Olu. Previously, 100 firefighters were recruited in December 2020, followed by an additional 435 personnel in May 2022. With the inclusion of the new cohort, the total number of firefighters recruited by the administration now stands at 685, a move aimed at enhancing the agency's operational capacity across the sprawling metropolis.

The commissioning of the Oworonshoki Fire Station brings the total number of public fire stations established by the Sanwo-Olu administration to 11. An additional station operates through a public-private partnership with the Startimes Estate Community Development Association. Controller General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, lauded the governor's sustained investment in emergency management. She urged the new officers to uphold discipline and professionalism, emphasizing the demanding nature of firefighting which requires courage, teamwork, and continuous skill improvement to protect lives, the environment, and property.

Adeseye assured residents of prompt, efficient, and proactive emergency response services throughout the state. She highlighted that the administration's focus on safety and security remains a cornerstone of its THEMES+ Agenda. Ongoing improvements in firefighting equipment, manpower, and infrastructure underscore the government's dedication to strengthening the fire and rescue sector and ensuring the well-being of Lagos State citizens.

“

Firefighting is a highly demanding profession that requires courage, professionalism, teamwork and a constant commitment to improving operational skills in order to effectively protect lives, environment and property across Lagos State.