The Federal Fire Service (FFS) has explained that firefighting goes beyond the use of water, revealing other methods that can be employed to tackle fire.
The National Public Relations Officer and Head of Corporate Services, Paul Abraham in a statement on Tuesday also clarified that its vehicles are always equipped with between 2,000 and 5,000 litres of water or other extinguishing agents tailored to specific fire types.
“Importantly, the Service does not rely on water alone. We deploy water to tackle ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, and cloth,” he said.
He noted that fire involving flammable liquids such as petrol or oil are best tackled by foam agents while electrical or gas-related fires are best tackled with dry chemical powder, which interrupts the chemical reaction of fire.
“Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is used where delicate electrical or electronic equipment is at risk because it leaves no residue,” he added.
The statement added that specialised agents are reserved for industrial and hazardous-material incidents, stressing that the nature and severity of any blaze determine the resources to be deployed.
“Class A fires (wood, paper) may require fewer resources,” it explained, adding that, “whereas Class B fires (flammable liquids) and complex incidents such as high-rise or industrial fires often demand more resources and backup support. The full extent of any incident can only be assessed on arrival at the scene.”
Abraham reaffirmed the FSS’ commitment to rapid and effective response through continuous firefighter training, inter-agency collaboration, and equipment upgrades.
