The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has inaugurated a DG54M Aerial Hydraulic Platform with a capacity to reach the 40th floor of a high-rise building.
Aerial Hydraulic Platform is a mechanical device used to provide temporary access for people or equipment to inaccessible areas, usually at height.
Mr. Aregbesola said the Federal Fire Service, FFS, was collaborating with the Federal Republic of Belarus to procure additional 94 fire fighting vehicles which include Ariel platforms, Rapid intervention Vehicles, Command and Control Vehicles and training for firefighters.
“A few days ago, I approved foreign training on High-rise fire fighting for 17 officers of the FFS. This is to ensure optimal use of the vehicle commissioned,” the Minister said.
The Controller General, Federal Fire Service, Dr Liman Ibrahim said the DG5M Aerial Hydraulic Fire Engine was the first of its kind in the country and specially designed to fight fire in high-rise buildings, oil installations and hard to reach locations.
Dr Ibrahim added that when the boom was extended, It can fight fire up to 394 feet.
He said fighting fires in high-rise buildings comes with a lot of challenges especially in Lagos where the service had in the past contended with multi-storey building fires without appropriate equipment.
“The procurement of this multi-million-naira vehicle, primarily for use in Lagos State is expected to significantly address these challenges and minimize the risk firefighters are exposed.
Lagos State deputy governor, Dr Babafemi Hamzat, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu commended the federal government, saying Lagos take issues of fire seriously.
He stressed the need for Nigeria to have a uniform Combustible Standard Law guiding petrol tankers and other articulated Vehicles to prevent fire incidents caused by such vehicles.
FRCN
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