CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

In recent years, the world has experienced a worrying rise in the frequency and intensity of disasters. According to a global assessment published by Swiss Re (2016), a total of 353 catastrophe events occurred worldwide in 2015. Of these events, 198 were classified as natural disasters, while 155 resulted from human activities. Available evidence indicates that fire incidents account for a considerable proportion of disasters. These occurrences are often associated with human activities and worsened by the lack of effective disaster-prevention and mitigation facilities, including properly installed and maintained fire hydrants in urban areas.

Disasters can have devastating consequences for communities and the everyday lives of people living in affected countries. Over the preceding decade, the damage associated with disasters had declined in developed countries, partly because of the preventive and precautionary measures implemented in those countries. However, the situation remained different in developing countries such as Nigeria, where inadequate coordination and integration among relevant disaster-risk management agencies before, during, and after disasters continued to present major challenges (UN, 2009; EM-DAT, 2010).

Many Nigerian cities struggle to accommodate the rapid and continuous growth of rural-to-urban migration. This situation has contributed to unplanned settlements, irregular development, and poorly regulated expansion in suburban and peri-urban areas. When fire outbreaks occur in such locations, the absence of properly designed roads and accessible routes often makes it difficult for emergency responders to reach affected communities. Consequently, residents may be left vulnerable while the fire continues to spread and cause damage.

Nevertheless, several factors that contribute to the severity of disasters can be controlled or reduced through an effective Disaster and Emergency Management (DEM) system. Such a system should operate as an integrated framework covering the stages before, during, and after a disaster. Integrated disaster and emergency management involves the coordination of resources required to address different types of disasters and emergencies throughout the various stages of response and recovery. It also requires consideration of the social, economic, political, and cultural conditions that influence disaster occurrence and management. The organizational arrangements and communication strategies used to implement an integrated management system should be developed in accordance with the policies of individual countries and the specific conditions of disaster-prone areas (Bhugra, 2005; GRSP, 2007; Vakis, 2006).

Fire is commonly described as a useful servant but a dangerous master. This expression reflects the fact that fire provides many benefits when properly controlled, but becomes destructive when it escapes human control. Although fire-safety measures may be available, fire accidents cannot always be completely prevented. Fire disasters occur in virtually every part of the world where people live, and Cross River State, particularly Calabar, is no exception. Over the years, Calabar has experienced numerous fire outbreaks, many of which resulted in considerable destruction before the fires could be brought under control.

Fire hydrants constitute an important part of municipal fire-protection infrastructure. They are installed at strategic locations to provide access to water during fire emergencies. These above-ground facilities connect to water-distribution systems and are primarily intended to supply water for firefighting, although they may also support certain municipal activities, including construction and other outdoor water requirements. Each hydrant has one or more outlets through which firefighting hoses can be connected. To ensure an adequate water supply during firefighting operations, hydrants are designed to deliver a minimum flow rate of approximately 945 litres per minute.

The development of fire hydrants became increasingly necessary following the introduction of underground water-distribution systems in the 1600s, when hollowed-out wooden pipes were installed in England. As urban settlements expanded, water-supply networks also developed, creating a greater need for efficient systems of fire control and management. Water remains one of the most economical substances used to extinguish fires. Consequently, the importance of fire hydrants became more widely recognized by fire departments and taxpayers, particularly as it became evident that strategically located hydrants with adequate water-delivery capacity could substantially reduce the consequences of fire hazards (Madehow, 2016).

In Calabar, however, information provided by the Cross River Water Board Limited (CRSWBL) indicated that only 11 fire hydrants were being serviced by the Board within the municipality. While the CRSWBL is responsible for supplying water to these hydrants, their management and utilization during firefighting operations fall within the responsibilities of the relevant fire service agencies. These include the Federal Fire Service (FFS), located at Margaret Ekpo International Airport, and the Cross River State Fire Service (CRSFS), situated along Mary Slessor Avenue.

In the present context, the availability of functional fire-protection infrastructure, such as fire hydrants, is not sufficient on its own to guarantee effective Fire Disaster Management (FDM). One of the major challenges affecting the achievement of efficient fire-disaster management in Calabar is the lack of accurate geographical data (geo-data) to support planning and emergency response (Samadi et al., 2009; Ware, 2003). Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide useful tools for analysing large volumes of data and answering spatial questions. They can therefore be applied to the examination of urban fire incidents, the identification of vulnerable locations, and the planning of appropriate emergency responses.

When the financial benefits of GIS applications are compared with the economic losses resulting from fire disasters, the technology can be considered a potentially cost-effective means of improving fire management. Despite these benefits, the development of systematic fire-risk analyses for urban areas remains relatively uncommon, and research involving GIS-supported fire analysis is limited. In Calabar, the reported absence of comprehensive spatial geo-data, reliable maps, and an integrated spatial assessment framework among the relevant fire service agencies has made emergency-response operations more complicated. It has also created difficulties in coordinating the different organizations and personnel involved in fire-disaster management within the municipality.

These challenges demonstrate the need to examine fire service operations in Calabar Municipality, with particular attention to the problems affecting their effectiveness and the opportunities available for improvement.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Calabar is the capital city of Cross River State, located in the South-South geopolitical region of Nigeria. The city comprises Calabar Municipality and Calabar South Local Government Areas (LGAs). Together, the two local government areas contain 22 wards, with 12 wards in Calabar Municipality and 10 wards in Calabar South. Historically, Calabar served as the capital of the Southern Protectorate of Nigeria until 1904. It was also among the earliest centres of local government administration in the former Eastern Region, a position it maintained until 1952 (Wikipedia, 2016).

Geographically, Calabar is situated between longitudes 8°18′ and 8°24′ East and latitudes 4°54′ and 5°04′ North, as illustrated in Figure 1. The area is bordered by the Calabar River to the west, the Great Kwa River to the east, Odukpani Local Government Area to the north, and the creeks of the Cross River, which flow into the Atlantic Ocean, to the south.

According to the National Population Commission (NPC, 1996), Calabar had a population of 328,878 in 1991. By 2006, the population had increased to 375,196, while projections for 2015 estimated the population at 529,362, reflecting the continued expansion of the city.

Under the Köppen–Geiger climate classification system, Calabar has a tropical climate characterized by substantial rainfall during most months of the year. The short dry season has only a limited influence on the area's overall climatic conditions. The municipality has an average annual temperature of approximately 26.1°C and receives an average annual rainfall of about 2,750 millimetres (climate-data.org, 2016). The rainy season generally extends from April to October, whereas the dry season lasts from November to March of the following year.

These geographical and climatic characteristics are relevant to the management of emergencies, including fire outbreaks, and may influence the measures required for effective fire prevention, response, and control. This study therefore seeks to investigate the implications of the area's environmental conditions for emergency fire occurrences and the strategies adopted to manage them.

The loss of human lives and economic resources resulting from disasters continues to pose a significant challenge to national economic development. The consequences of disasters are often difficult to quantify because the extent of damage varies according to geographical location, climatic conditions, the nature of the terrain, and the level of vulnerability of the affected population. Such losses can also affect the psychological well-being, socioeconomic circumstances, political conditions, and cultural life of individuals and communities. In turn, these effects may contribute to economic disruption and instability within the country.

Despite the serious consequences associated with disasters, government responses are often more visible after an incident has occurred than during the stages of prevention and preparedness. This reactive approach can undermine efforts to reduce disaster risks and protect communities from avoidable losses. Effective emergency management at the local government level is therefore essential for improving public safety and safeguarding lives and property, which are fundamental responsibilities of government at every level.

The need for effective emergency management is particularly important in Calabar Municipality, where weaknesses in disaster preparedness and the provision of essential firefighting infrastructure may affect the performance of emergency-response agencies. Fire hydrants are recognized as important installations for supporting effective firefighting and fire service operations in urban areas. However, the availability, distribution, maintenance, and accessibility of these facilities are critical considerations in determining how efficiently fire outbreaks can be managed.

In view of these concerns, this study examines the problems and prospects of fire service operations in Nigeria, using Calabar Municipality as a case study. It seeks to identify shortcomings in emergency preparedness, assess issues relating to firefighting facilities and operational performance, and consider measures that could improve the delivery of fire services in the study area.

1.3 Research Objectives

The main objective of this study is to examine the challenges and prospects of fire service operations in Nigeria, with particular reference to Calabar Municipality.

The specific objectives of the study are as follows:

1. To assess the level of knowledge and understanding of best practices among fire service workers and operational personnel.

2. To investigate the availability of essential firefighting equipment and determine the extent to which such equipment is effectively utilized in accordance with internationally recognized best practices.

3. To examine residents' perceptions of fire-disaster management and assess their level of awareness of fire safety and related services within the study area.

4. To recommend appropriate measures and practical solutions that could improve the effectiveness, performance, and service delivery of fire service operations.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions are formulated in line with the objectives of the study:

1. What is the level of knowledge and understanding of best practices among fire service workers and operational personnel?

2. To what extent are essential firefighting equipment and facilities available, and how effectively are they utilized in accordance with internationally recognized best practices?

3. How do residents perceive fire-disaster management, and what is their level of awareness of fire safety and fire hydrants within the study area?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study examines the challenges and prospects associated with fire service operations in Nigeria, using Calabar Municipality as its case study. The findings are expected to provide relevant information about developments, existing conditions, and issues affecting fire service operations in the study area. Such information may also serve as a reliable basis for informed decision-making by the authorities and institutions responsible for fire prevention, emergency preparedness, and disaster management.

Furthermore, the study is expected to contribute to the existing body of knowledge on fire service operations and disaster management. By examining the challenges affecting firefighting activities and identifying possible areas for improvement, the research may provide useful reference material for students, researchers, and other individuals interested in related areas of study.

The findings may also be valuable to government institutions at both the federal and state levels, particularly those responsible for providing and managing emergency services. The information generated could help relevant authorities understand operational difficulties, identify weaknesses in existing arrangements, and consider measures for improving fire service delivery.

In addition, other stakeholders involved in disaster prevention, emergency response, and public safety may benefit from the study. Members of the public may equally gain a better understanding of fire-disaster management, the importance of fire-safety awareness, and the role of appropriate preparedness measures in reducing the consequences of fire outbreaks.

The study is therefore significant because its findings may support informed planning, encourage further research, and provide useful information for improving fire service operations and protecting lives and property within Calabar Municipality and other areas facing similar challenges.

1.6 Scope of the Study

This study focuses on the problems and prospects of fire service operations in Nigeria. Its primary purpose is to examine the existing situation regarding fire service operations, identify the challenges that affect their effectiveness, and propose possible measures for addressing the identified problems.