Nigeria’s aviation firefighters lament lack of competency training and equipment
The Nigerian Fire Safety Association, NFSA, has raised alarm over the lack of competency training of its members. They blamed this on the non-certification of the £11.5 Fire simulator for use, procured and installed in Zaria since April 2019.
This is just as the Association also disclosed inadequate fire tenders, other safety critical equipment for fire fighting and personnel to man the nation’s major airports designated Category 9. President of NFSA, Sunday Ugbeikwu in an interview with newsmen at the sidelines of the ASRTI BBM, said, the status quo is a potential safety hazard for the industry, alleging 600 of 1,150 aviation firefighters were not competent.
He said, the competency training was truncated on the eve of the new simulator delivery and since then new recruits have not had competency training. Ugbeikwu commended the Federal Government for the acquisition of the multi-scenario fire lighting equipment which is superior to AF-ASECNA, Douala equipment.
Mr. Ugbeikwu explained that, the Zaria Fire simulator is capable of training different scenarios, urging the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, to do the needful and kick start the certification process. “We have a Simulator in Zaria which is supposed to offer competency training for firefighters and the simulator has not been certified by the NCAA. This is what we are pursuing as an association and we have over 600 fire fighters that are not competent.”
Airports across the country tagged as Category 7 and Category 9 do not have the requisite manpower to man them or fire tenders as per Regulations, according to the NFSA president.
“Most of the airports do not meet ICAO certification. Cat 7 airports should have at least two serviceable fire tenders. Cat 9 airports should have at least three. If you go around you will find Cat 7 airports cannot boast of two.”
On the 10 fire tenders acquired by the last minister, Mr. Ugbeikwu said, the tenders with a total cost of N12b were grossly inadequate for the number of airports currently.
He called for speedy action by the aviation agencies and the government to ensure the airports are adequately covered in the event of an emergency to enable the fire fighters carryout their job effectively and efficiently.
