Planning for Firefighting Service Facilities in Zaria Urban Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

Firefighting service is one of the basic necessities in securing urban environment. The idea of this study is to make a planning proposal for firefighting service facilities in Zaria Urban Area with a view to suggesting suitable planning recommendations for improvement of firefighting service facilities. Data were collected through both primary and secondary methods Analysis of spatial data was carried out using ArcGIS software which help to support planning decision regardless to preparedness, mitigation, response and general management of fire service within the study area. The success of firefighting service depends mainly on the speed of the fire engines reaching the scene of a fire incident and the performance on field to reduce losses to a minimum ratio. The Study suggests a service radius of 2 km to 3km at a speed of 30 km/hr and a response time of 4minutes and 6minutes respectively. Individuals and communities are target audience to be train on how to tackle emergency cases at home and place of work. Findings revealed that there is inadequacy of firefighting service station, water hydrants, basic equipment and manpower, poor access road, low level of private sector participation, poor communication system, inadequacy site coverage and negligence of planning authority in the provision of firefighting service facilities that will support fire service operations. A total of three fire stations were proposed to ensure effective delivery of service. The study also recommends including the provision of water hydrant, establishment of fire service training school, communication gadget/facilities, rehabilitation and construction of roads, provision of watch towers in existing and proposes fire service stations. All these are in view of achieving effective and sustainable firefighting service delivery in Zaria Urban Area.