• Federal Fire Service
• The Fire Service Act 1963
• The National Fire Academy, Abuja

The Federal Fire Service (FFS) was established in 1901 by the British colonial regime as a unit within the Lagos Police Service Department to prevent and combat fire outbreaks in the Government Reserved Areas of Lagos Colony. This unit was formed and incorporated alongside the then Lagos Police and was known as the Lagos Police Fire Brigade.

The Police Fire Brigade was thus an apparatus of the British Colonial Government. Its leadership and administration rested squarely on the colonists. The Police Fire Brigade essentially developed along the line of protecting the colonial regime’s interests and infrastructure.

After Nigeria gained her independence in 1960, an Act of Parliament in 1963 was made to make the Lagos Police Fire Brigade into the Federal Fire Service. All the officers and men serving in the Lagos Police Fire Brigade were transferred to the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs as officers and men of the Federal Fire Service. The Federal Fire Service is therefore a paramilitary organisation under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Interior, with the Controller-General as its Head.

Key points of the 1963 Fire Service Act

• Establishment: Federal Fire Service created, headed by a Federal Fire Commissioner.
• Duties: Extinguish fires, protect life and property, humanitarian assistance.
• Structure: Fire Commissioner, officers and firemen appointed by the Federal Civil Service Commission.
• Powers: Right to enter premises, use water, control traffic during fires.
• Enlistment: 3 year initial service (extendable).
• Pensions and Gratuities: After 3?years of continuous service, firemen get gratuity (0.5?month pay per year) and pension benefits.
• Offences: Obstructing firemen, false alarms, misuse of equipment attract fines/imprisonment.

There’s also talk of repealing it because it’s obsolete — the Federal Govt plans to replace it with a new Fire and Rescue Service Act.
👉 https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/05/fg-to-repeal-obsolete-1963-fire-service-act-says-interior-minister/
👉 The Fire Service Act 1963

The National Fire Academy (NSA) is located along Abuja-Lokoja Express way, Sheda, Kwali, Abuja. It is runned by the Federal Fire Service of Nigeria (under the Ministry of Interior). It is headed by a commandant. The role of the Academy is to train middle level man-power for the Fire and Rescue Service Sector in Nigeria. It is being accredited by the National Board for Technical Education for the award of National Diploma. Its facilities include training props, hostel accommodation, library, drill ground, staff quarters, BA gallery, clinic, cafeteria, water supply and many more.

1. Basic Firefighting Course: fire behavior, equipment handling.
2. Advanced Fire & Rescue: ladder ops, vehicle extrication.
3. HAZMAT & Disaster Management: chemical spills, CBRN basics.
4. Leadership & Management: for senior officers.

• The Federal Fire Service (FFS) was originally the Lagos Police Fire Brigade in the Colonial era.
• In 1963, an Act of Parliament changed the Lagos Police Fire Brigade to Federal Fire Service.
• The Federal Fire Service is headed by a Federal Fire Commissioner.
• The Federal Fire Service is obligated to extinguish fires, protect life and property, and carry out humanitarian assistance.
• There are talks to repeal the Federal Fire Service.
• The National Fire Academy located along Abuja-Lokoja road trains manpower for the Fire and Rescue Service Sector of Nigeria.