The Taraba State Government has launched the recruitment and training of 200 firefighters in partnership with the Federal Fire Service as part of efforts to tackle recurring fire outbreaks and strengthen emergency response across the state.

According to Channels Television, the initiative follows repeated fire disasters that have destroyed lives, property and investments, prompting Governor Agbu Kefas to approve the procurement of firefighting equipment and the recruitment of trained personnel to operate it.

The selected recruits, drawn from the state’s 16 local government areas, will undergo five weeks of intensive training in Lagos before returning to manage newly acquired firefighting equipment and staff fire service offices across the state.

Speaking during the documentation and screening exercise, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the Taraba State Government, Abdulkadir Haruna, said the programme was informed by recommendations from a committee set up to investigate the causes of recurring fire incidents.

Haruna said the state government had already purchased firefighting machines for all local government areas, including the airport, adding that trained personnel were needed to operate the equipment effectively.

He disclosed that about 320 applicants were being screened, with 200 expected to emerge as the first batch of trainees.

Also speaking, Project Manager of Nigerbird Engineering, Victor Fidi, said 14 local government areas currently lack fire service offices, but Governor Kefas had approved plans to establish them.

Fidi expressed confidence that the trainees would form capable fire service teams after completing the five-week programme in Lagos, improving the state’s capacity to respond to emergencies and protect residents.