The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has trained Emergency Management Volunteers (EMVs) on fire prevention and management in Niger state.

Zainab Sai’du, head of the NEMA Minna Operations Office, said this at the training and sensitisation of the EMVs in Minna on Friday.

She said the training was timely, given the onset of the yuletide and harmattan seasons, which are prone to fire outbreaks.

“Fire outbreaks pose a significant threat to lives, properties, and the environment. In recent years, our communities have experienced avoidable tragedies due to fire incidents.

“Our negative interaction with fire will result in fire outbreaks, which can destroy property and the environment and sometimes result in death,” she warned.

Ms Sai’du advised members of the public to ensure that all flammable items in their homes were properly kept, adding that disaster risk reduction was key to preventing fire outbreaks.

“Disaster management worldwide is now proactive and no longer reactionary; disaster risk reduction is key in this direction, and this implies activities that are geared towards prevention.

She said the training would enhance the skills and knowledge of EMVs, who are the first line of defence in responding to emergencies.

Ms Sai’du urged the EMVs to adopt preventive measures to save homes, businesses, and communities from fire destruction.

She commended the volunteers for their willingness to serve as disaster management vanguards and urged them to be the eyes of the agency by reporting any disaster risk detected to appropriate authorities.

Ms Sai’du called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, and civil society organisations to partner with NEMA in driving the fire prevention campaign across the state.

In his remarks, Ibrahim Hussein, director, special duties and information, Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), said disaster management was a business of all, especially during the season when fire disasters are more prevalent.

One of the volunteers, Maryam Jibrin, from the School of Health Technology Minna, pledged to be hardworking and to promptly report any disaster risk detected.

(NAN)