The officers and men of the Anambra State Fire Service, Awka have joined their counterparts across the globe, to mark the International Firefighters Day IFFD.
International Firefighters Day, IFFD, observed on May fourth each year, is a time when the world’s community recognises and honours the sacrifices that firefighters make to ensure that communities and environment are safe.
The insight of the International Firefighters Day is well reflected on a note by Lieutenant JJ Edmondson, the founder of the Day, who noted that “in the fire service, we fight together against one common enemy, fire, no matter what country we come from, what uniform we wear or what language we speak.”
Since the Day was instituted after a proposal was emailed across the world on January fourth 1999, due to the death of five firefighters in tragic circumstances in a wildfire at Linton in Victoria, Australia, IFFD has been held across the world for twenty years, on May fourth, also known in some countries as Saint Florian’s Day, the patron saint of firefighters globally.
Speaking to the men and officers of the Service in Awka, the Director and Chief Fire Officer, Anambra State Fire Service, Engineer Martin Agbili, reminded them that their duties demanded endurance, commitment and sacrifice, and urged them to take comfort in the fact that they stand in the core of humanitarianism in the world.
Engineer Agbili who also used the avenue to call on government’s attention to the welfare of men of the Service especially in staffing, training and equipment, said they will continue using the resources at their disposal to fight fire threats in Anambra State.
The event was used to honour some men who have contributed immensely to the work of fire fighting including Mr. Ishmael Ughasoro, a one-time Director of the Anambra State Fire Service, Late Maxwell Afujue, who lost his life in December 2015 when a building collapsed on him during a rescue mission at Ochanja Market Onitsha, his partner on the faithful day, Sunday Obiorah, who sustained broken leg and lungs, and Chukwuma Okonkwo, who sustained fire burns while trying to fight tanker fire at Agu Awka.
The honoured firefighters said they owe their bravery to spirited service, and extended special praise to Governor Willie Obiano for reaching out to them.
The Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS, was also honoured by the Service for its valuable media support and partnership.
The theme for this year’s International Firefighters Day is “Geared Up For Fire: The Role of Firefighter in Today’s Society.
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