By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar
The Cross River State Fire Service has urged the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS) to sustain fire prevention measures and extend safety awareness to neighbouring communities.
The call was made on Friday when a four-man team from the Fire Service inspected fire-safety facilities and emergency preparedness arrangements at the BCS World Headquarters on Ambo Street, Calabar.
The inspection was led by Officer Kekong D.A., alongside B.E. Ukorebi, Ferdinand Mgbe and Nyomo Ibitham.
The visit came amid concerns over recent fire incidents in Calabar and other parts of Cross River State, including the fire outbreak at the SPAR shopping complex.
The team inspected key facilities within the headquarters, including the solar energy facility, Safety Unit office and other departments, to assess available firefighting equipment and emergency-response arrangements.
The Fire Service team was received by the Head of the BCS Safety Unit, Archbishop Ifiokabasi Udo, alongside members of the Safety Unit, fire wardens and security personnel.
Udo told the team that the Safety Unit had been established to strengthen fire prevention and emergency preparedness across the organisation.
He said the unit had deployed firefighting equipment, designated fire wardens and conducted safety training, emergency drills, muster exercises and awareness programmes.
The Fire Service team commended the organisation for establishing a dedicated Safety Unit and providing firefighting equipment across its facilities.
Kekong also acknowledged the roles of the safety personnel and fire wardens assigned to various departments, saying continuous preparedness was necessary to ensure that equipment remained functional and personnel were ready to respond to emergencies.
The team advised BCS to sustain regular fire-safety inspections, emergency-response training and evacuation drills to improve its preparedness for possible incidents.
It also urged the organisation to strengthen collaboration with the Fire Service in fire prevention, safety education and emergency response.
The Fire Service further advised BCS to extend fire-safety sensitisation to surrounding communities, particularly through public education on prevention and appropriate responses during emergencies.
The team stressed the need for firefighting equipment to be properly maintained, easily accessible and ready for use, while safety awareness should remain a continuous responsibility within the organisation.
The engagement ended with a call for stronger cooperation between the BCS Safety Unit and the Cross River State Fire Service in promoting fire prevention and emergency preparedness within the headquarters and surrounding communities.
