A SPOTLIGHT ON THE POLYTECHNIC SAFETY AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE UNIT
FOUGHT OVER 10 FIRE INCIDENTS
CREATED EMERGENCY ROUTES,CARRIED OUT SAFETY ASSESSMENT ON BUILDINGS,EMBARKED ON SAFETY AWARENESS ACROSS THE INSTITUTION
One of the areas the Rector, Engr. Dr. M.C. Arimanwa, has distinguished himself is the safety and emergency sector. The issue of safety is directly linked to human health, an area in which the Rector has also blazed a trail, as the Polytechnic Medical Centre has been rated among the best three among Nigerian polytechnics.
Characteristic of him, the Rector established the Safety and Emergency Response Unit in November 2021 with a clear mandate on maintaining safety and awareness in the institution. He equipped the unit with brand new fire-fighting vehicles and devices. Less than two years, the unit has become a success story that would outlive his tenure.
In a brief chat with FEDPONEK GAZETTE, the Director of the Polytechnic Safety and Emergency Unit, Engr. Maurice Uchenna Anyaehie, averred that in less than two years of its establishment, the unit has fought over 10 deadly fire incidents capable of causing collateral damage in the institution.
“The first one was in January 2022 when there was a fire incident at the Student Affairs Division which nearly engulfed an active generating set. There was also one at the Jumbo Hostel Roundabout which nearly gutted the entire amoured cable around the area. There was also a fire incident at the School of Engineering which we were able to contain when called upon. Indeed we have been able to respond accordingly to all distress calls put across to us.
“On the whole, we have been able to contain over ten fire incidents which would have wreaked havoc in this community. There was a particular incident that happened on a Sunday. I had to abandon the service and headed for the school. To the glory of God we were able to put out the ravaging fire which was already ascending the roof tops.
“Last year, we intervened in time and put out a fire outbreak that would have engulfed the entire palm plantation in polytechnic”
Anyaehie also pointed out that unit has been able to create emergency exits at the 1000-capacity auditorium which would eradicate incidences of stampede. According to him, it was in the course of the safety inspections on major buildings in the institution that they discovered that the hall lacked emergency safety routes.
Accordingly, the director disclosed that the unit has also carried out safety awareness across Divisions in the institution where they enlightened staff on how to react to fire outbreaks with the fire gadgets affixed to the various buildings.
In terms of training and collaborations, the unit director revealed that their staff are well trained. “Our staff are well trained and when need there will be need for further training. We also have collaborations with the Imo State Fire Service for training and backup services in high-risk situations.”
Finally, the director lauded the Rector on the timely establishment of the unit, describing it as a “huge plus” to the administration.
He released emergency lines (08154846041, 08064844475) through which the unit can be contacted, adding that sweepers and labourers should avoid burning refuse as nearly all fire incidents contained by the unit were caused by them.
© FEDPONEK GAZETTE 12 JANUARY, 2023.
