Imagine being stuck in a fire emergency with no idea what to do! Scary thought, right? That’s why the Lagos State Government Fire & Rescue Service, in a collaborative effort, recently trained PWAN Max Group staff on fire safety and management. We got to learn from the experts–led by the amiable Supt. Sanni Oluwole—on how to prevent fires, respond to emergencies, and save lives!
In a bold move to safeguard lives and property, the Lagos State Fire & Rescue Service recently held an intensive fire safety training programme for staff of PWAN Max Group. The session, which took place at the company’s Sangotedo Head Office in Lekki, Ajah, was a practical masterclass on curtailing fire emergencies, ably led by Superintendent Sanni Oluwole.
With Lagos State’s bustling population of over 20 million residents and limited firefighting personnel, the stakes are high when it comes to tackling fire outbreaks. This training underscored the urgent need to empower individuals and organisations with the knowledge and skills to prevent and manage fire incidents effectively.
“Fire is both a friend and a foe—it can serve us, but negligence can quickly turn it into a destroyer,” Supt. Oluwole explained.
The comprehensive training covered the different classes of fire—ranging from combustible metals, electrical faults, and flammable liquids to common household materials—and the correct extinguishing agents for each. Staff were reminded that choosing the wrong extinguisher can worsen an incident, sometimes leading to explosions or loss of life.
Key fire response steps were also drilled into participants:
- Raise the alarm immediately
- Call the fire service without delay
- Evacuate the building
- Attack the fire with the right extinguisher, if safe to do so
- Proceed to the assembly point
- Take roll call
- Ensure safety before any re-entry
Practical demonstrations brought theory to life, as staff were shown how to handle extinguishers with confidence and apply the correct techniques in real situations.
Supt. Oluwole also highlighted the importance of regular equipment maintenance, stressing that extinguishers should be serviced—some as often as every six months—to guarantee functionality during emergencies. He added that competent safety personnel must be observant, physically fit, courageous, and curious, always asking the right questions about their environment.
Driving home the role of preparation, he stated: “Safety is everyone’s responsibility, because fire emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere. Your survival could depend on what you know and how quickly you act.”
He illustrated this with real-life examples, including how a luxury vehicle was destroyed because the wrong type of extinguisher was used. In contrast, he noted, the right agent—such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) or dry chemical powder for flammable liquids, or special dry powder for metal fires—can prevent devastating losses.
The training ended with a sober reminder of the heavy cost of fire disasters: loss of property, livelihoods, and even human lives. But it also left PWAN Max staff empowered, alert, and ready to act.
As participants dispersed, their renewed sense of awareness was evident. With most fire outbreaks occurring in residential and commercial spaces, this timely intervention may well prove to be the shield that prevents tomorrow’s tragedies.