Federal Fire Service, has decried public apathy to preventive fire management practices in the country, saying it was disturbing.

This is because most Nigerians hardly adhered to precautionary measures against fire outbreaks, but would run helter skelter when trouble would start.

Controller-General Joseph Anebi, stated this at the closing of the 2016 Fire Safety Week which began on Monday with the theme, “Minimising Fire Outbreaks: Precaution is the Answer’’.

Anebi urged Nigerians to be very cautious and be prepared for any eventuality, especially as the Harmattan season was setting in.

He also called for public support to enhance the agency’s functions, saying that fire service was capital intensive and could not be adequately funded by the Federal Government alone.

According to him, the frequent fire outbreaks recorded across the country are good reasons for the public to assist us to serve them better.

Anebi, however, commended the President Muhammadu Buhari-administration for reviving the agency through improved release of funds which had enabled the agency to refurbish 23 of its fire trucks.

According to him, the service is proposing to acquire 23additional fire-fighting equipment for deployment across the country for effective operation.

Describing the Fire Safety Week celebration as a “huge success’’, the controller-general lauded the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigeria Electricity Regulator Management Services Agency (NERMSA) for their support.