In a notable gesture aimed at boosting emergency response capacity in Bauchi State, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has donated a motorised fire caddy to the Federal Fire Service (FFS) as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives.
The donation was officially handed over on Tuesday by the Controller of CBN Bauchi Branch, Mr. James Laburta, who said the bank remains committed to supporting institutions that play a vital role in safeguarding lives and property. He described the fire service as a critical stakeholder in disaster management and public safety, stressing that the donation was in recognition of the increasing need for rapid and efficient emergency responses.
“The Central Bank is not just a financial regulator; we are part of the community. Supporting the Federal Fire Service is our way of ensuring that when emergencies happen, especially fire outbreaks, our communities are better equipped to handle them,” Laburta said.
Receiving the equipment, the Acting Controller of the Federal Fire Service in Bauchi, Deputy Controller Babangida Abba, expressed appreciation to the CBN for the donation. He noted that the motorised firefighting unit would significantly enhance the command’s capacity to respond swiftly to fire incidents, particularly in hard-to-reach or densely populated areas.
Also speaking, the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Assistant Superintendent of Fire Umar Lawal, explained that the donated fire caddy is a compact and mobile firefighting tool, designed to function efficiently in areas with limited access or where conventional fire trucks may be hindered. He added that the equipment can be operated by trained personnel or community responders during the early stages of a fire emergency.
According to Lawal, the equipment is compatible with existing hydrant systems and offers a cost-effective way to supplement firefighting efforts, especially in markets, residential clusters, and remote communities.
The CBN’s intervention is seen as timely, given the rising frequency of fire incidents in parts of the state. It also reflects a growing recognition of the importance of public-private collaboration in emergency preparedness and disaster risk reduction.
Authorities say the fire unit will be deployed immediately to high-risk zones in the state as part of the FFS’s ongoing fire prevention and rapid response campaign.
