Nigeria has joined fire and emergency management authorities from around the world in advancing stronger international cooperation and new approaches to building resilient communities against disasters and emerging risks.
The discussions formed part of the World Fire Congress in London, where global fire and emergency management leaders examined ways to improve disaster preparedness, response and recovery while strengthening collaboration among countries.
The Nigerian delegation, represented by the Federal Fire Service (FFS), participated in discussions on the changing demands of emergency management and the need for countries to develop systems capable of responding effectively to increasingly complex risks.
According to a statement by Paul Abraham, National Public Relations Officer and Head of Corporate Services, Federal Fire Service National Headquarters, Abuja, the deliberations focused on the full emergency management cycle, covering planning, prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.
The Service noted that participants exchanged experiences on how national fire and emergency management institutions could strengthen their systems, improve coordination and adapt their operations to emerging threats confronting communities.
‘The discussions also provided an avenue for participating countries to identify areas of common interest and explore opportunities for deeper international collaboration in fire safety and emergency management.
‘A major highlight of the congress was the formal signing of the World Fire Congress (WFC) Founding Principles by representatives of participating nations.
‘The signing marked a collective commitment by member countries to strengthen international cooperation, advance fire safety and promote more resilient communities through coordinated action’, the statement said.
The Federal Fire Service said Nigeria joined other participating nations in reaffirming its commitment to the principles and objectives of the World Fire Congress.
The congress, FFS said, would provide a platform for participating countries and fire-service organisations to share knowledge, operational experiences and emerging practices in fire prevention, emergency response and community resilience.
‘For Nigeria, participation in the global forum provides an opportunity to deepen international engagement in fire safety and emergency management while drawing from the experiences of other countries confronting similar and emerging disaster risks’, the statement added. The Federal Fire Service said the country’s engagement reflected its commitment to contributing to global efforts aimed at improving safety standards, strengthening emergency preparedness and building resilient communities.
The development comes amid growing recognition internationally of the need to move beyond emergency response towards comprehensive risk reduction, prevention and preparedness.