The Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research, NISER, has equipped its staff with precautionary and safety measures in fire management. The fire sensitization workshop took place at the Institute’s Conference Room with two fire experts from Fire Tamers Company Limited, Ibadan, in attendance.
Declaring the workshop open, the Director-General of NISER, Professor A. T. Simbine, reiterated that the sensitization training was aimed at keeping staff informed and prepared against fire-related disasters within the Institute. She noted that the knowledge acquired during the workshop would also prove useful to staff members in their homes and while embarking on official trips.
The Director-General further stressed that there would be additional training on fire safety alongside first aid training to ensure adequate emergency preparedness and management. She emphasized that it is better to possess knowledge about fire safety than to remain ignorant and commended NISER’s fire marshals for successfully coordinating the workshop and welcomed all participants to the programme.
In his welcome address, the NISER Director of Administration, Mr. E. Udofia, emphasized the importance of the programme to participants. Mr. Udofia explained that the sensitization workshop was organized against the backdrop of a fire retreat organized by the Oyo State Fire Service, where selected NISER staff were sponsored by the Institute to undergo training. According to him, the purpose was to enable trained staff members to equip other staff with the necessary knowledge and skills on preventive safety measures against fire outbreaks and appropriate emergency response procedures within the Institute.
The fire sensitization workshop, themed “Promoting Fire Safety Culture and Emergency Preparedness in NISER,” featured four sub-themes, namely:
- Friendly Fire, Fiery Furnace,
- Developing a Fire Safety Culture in the Workplace,
- Basic Fire Safety Equipment and Their Uses,
- General Fire Safety Modules, First Aid, and Other Healthcare Measures, including Practical Demonstration of Fire Control Techniques and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Procedures.
Key highlights from the fire awareness programme included educating participants on the various classes of fire, the importance of switching off electrical appliances in workplaces and homes, regular inspection of wiring and equipment to detect damages, maintaining clean workspaces to reduce fire outbreaks, proper storage of flammable materials, testing fire alarms regularly to ensure functionality, raising alarms promptly upon spotting fire outbreaks, and the installation and proper use of fire extinguishers.
The six NISER fire marshals, namely Dr. Samuel Ochinyabo, Dr. Mustapha Oludare, Mr. Dishon Aliyu, Dr. Benedicta Isunueo, Mr. Kayode Adetunji, and Mr. Opoola Moruf, delivered excellent presentations during the workshop.
Practical sessions on different methods of extinguishing fire were also conducted using blankets, foam fire extinguishers, water fire extinguishers, and CO₂ extinguishers.
Participants were additionally taught CPR techniques to assist accident victims, including the appropriate recovery position, correct chest compression methods, and rescue breathing procedures. An interactive question-and-answer session was held, during which participants asked several questions that were satisfactorily addressed by the facilitators.
The programme came to an end with a closing remark delivered by Dr. Benedicta Isunueo, who thanked everyone for their active participation and encouraged continuous adherence to fire safety practices.
© PUBLIC AFFAIRS/INFORMATION UNIT