Quell this fire, please! Addressing key operational challenges facing the Nigeria Fire Service

Fire disasters are increasingly posing a major threat to public safety in Nigeria,
with the economic costs of these infernos further weakening the nation’s already
fragile economy. To better understand the dynamics of the challenges facing the
Nigeria fire service (NFS), a qualitative phenomenological study was conducted
through indepth interviews, capturing the lived experiences of fifteen experienced
firefighters in relation to a fire incident they have previously managed. The paper
offers empirical evidence detailing how fire service effectiveness can be improved
at the micro, meso and macro levels. The paper concludes that tailored reforms are
crucially needed within the NFS.