The Federal Fire Service (FFS) has called for a stronger partnership with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to equip its personnel with strategic communication skills and enhance public trust and service delivery.
The Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, CGF Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, made the call in Abuja during the induction of 39 officers and men of the Service as members of NIPR.
Adeyemi stressed that effective communication and transparency were critical to building public confidence and improving acceptance of the Service’s early-warning messages within communities.
He sought the Institute’s support, particularly in training and capacity building, to strengthen the communication skills of FFS personnel and improve public engagement.
According to him, fire safety cuts across critical sectors, including education, housing, energy, commerce and the environment, making effective information management and knowledge sharing essential to building a resilient national fire safety system.
“We are professionalising the way Federal Fire Service communicates to the general public. Our PROs must understand strategic communication, know how to manage crisis and prioritise reputation management,” he said.
The Controller-General added that every fire incident prevented could save lives, while communities equipped with the right knowledge would be better prepared to respond to fire emergencies.
He urged the 39 inductees to apply the knowledge acquired during their training to disseminate accurate and timely information capable of protecting lives and property.
In his remarks, the President of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku, described the induction as an opportunity for the Federal Fire Service to strengthen its ongoing reforms, enhance its reputation management capacity and promote a communication culture that would deepen public understanding.
Neliaku commended the Service for taking steps to professionalise its public relations operations and urged the Controller-General to consider establishing a dedicated Public Relations Corps within the FFS.
He said such a corps would help build and sustain the Service’s reputation while effectively communicating its activities, reforms and safety messages to Nigerians.