FG To Replace 63-Year-Old Fire Service Law, Expand Powers

The Federal Government is working to exchange the 63-year-old Federal Fire Service Act with new laws that may develop the company’s obligations past firefighting to emergency medical response, search-and-rescue operations and unsafe supplies incidents.

The proposed legislation would remodel the Federal Fire Service right into a Federal Fire and Rescue Service, based on the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Tunji-Ojo disclosed this on Monday in Abuja on the opening of the 2026 National Fire Safety Week.

According to him, the present legislation not displays the obligations anticipated of a contemporary emergency response company.

“I think the Federal Fire Service Act is 1963. You cannot have a Fire Service Act of 1963 and think it will be near 2026 compliant. It doesn’t make sense.

“There is no right way of doing what is legally wrong. If the law does not give you the power to do something, no matter how good that action is, once you do it, it becomes illegal,” he stated.

He stated the brand new proposed laws had reached a complicated stage and is predicted to be introduced to the Federal Executive Council on Thursday.

The minister argued that the present authorized framework restricted the company’s potential to tackle obligations past standard firefighting.

He stated the federal government needs the service to operate as a primary responder throughout highway accidents, floods, medical emergencies and incidents involving poisonous or hazardous supplies.

“My major concern when we talk about fire in Nigeria, especially fire safety, is that what comes to our minds is not what comes to my mind. Of all the things we have spoken about today, I have not heard my dream of the Federal Fire Service.

“The dream of the Federal Fire Service is not a service that is just about fire safety, but a dream of a service that is more of a rescue service,” the minister acknowledged.

Tunji-Ojo stated the FFS ought to be geared up to offer first assist and rescue companies, together with medical emergency response.

“I want to have my dream of a fire service in Nigeria that will be able to provide that first aid, that will be able to provide that rescue service, even medical rescue services,” he stated.

He added that the FFS ought to develop specialised capability to answer emergencies involving poisonous gases, chemical substances, aviation incidents and different hazardous supplies.

The minister cited the flooding in Maiduguri, Borno State, following the collapse of the Alau Dam, for example of a catastrophe by which a correctly geared up rescue service may play a wider position.

“I want to see a Federal Fire Service that specialises in rescue operations. I want to see a Federal Fire Service that deals with hazardous materials. It is not just about fire. It is about toxic materials. That is the idea of the Federal Service that I want to see,” he stated.

Tunji-Ojo additionally known as for better consideration to fireplace prevention, inspection and enforcement of security rules.

He stated common inspections and efficient enforcement of fireside security codes had been essential to scale back violations and stop disasters, proposing the institution of fireside marshals throughout districts, wards, cities and villages.

According to him, the association would permit communities to establish hearth hazards earlier than they end in emergencies.

“Because the core responsibility of government is to protect lives and property. It means that fire service is the core responsibility of government, to protect lives and property,” he stated.

The minister additionally known as for primary rescue strategies, first assist and emergency response data to be integrated into schooling.

He stated many Nigerians couldn’t carry out cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and different primary emergency procedures when rapid help was required.

“We must make sure that rescue becomes our way of life because you never can tell who is that next person you will be in a position to help. It might be your mother, it might be your son, it might be your daughter, it might even be somebody who is very important to you,” he stated.

He additionally disclosed that the federal government was concluding the recruitment of about 5,000 personnel into the Federal Fire Service.

According to him, the National Fire Academy in Kwali, Federal Capital Territory, can also be anticipated to be accomplished by December 2026.