Institutional Capacity and the Roles of Key Actors in Fire Disaster Risk Reduction: The Case of Ibadan, Nigeria

Inefficient and ineffective fire management practices are common to most urban areas of developing countries.Nigerian cities are typical examples of high vulnerability and low preparedness level for fire disaster.This study examined the institutional framework for fire disaster risk reduction(FDRR) and explored the roles of key actors in fire disaster preparedness in Ibadan,a large traditional city in Nigeria.The study was anchored on the concept of urban governance.A case study research design was adopted using primary and secondary data.Primary data were obtained through field observation aided by a structured checklist and key informant interview.Interviews were conducted on key officials of the major organs for FDRR-Oyo State Fire Service(OSFS) and Oyo State Emergency Management Agency(OYSEMA).The study identified a disjointed and fragmented approach to fire management.Matters relating to fire risk reduction and disaster recovery were domiciled under the OYSEMA,while emergency response to fire disasters was the prerogative of the OSFS.The results show that only five out of 11 local government areas had public fire stations;only three fire stations had an on-site water supply;three fire stations lacked firefighting vehicles;and distribution of fire stations and facilities was uneven.Two fire stations responded to 80% of all fire cases in 12 years.The study concluded that the institutional structure and resources for fire risk reduction was more empowered to respond to fire disaster,rather than facilitating preparedness capacity to reduce disaster risk.

Risk of Flash Floods in Urban and Rural Municipalities Triggered by Intense Precipitation in Wielkopolska of Poland

This research analyzed interventions of State Fire Service(SFS)units in the Wielkopolska region of Poland that were triggered by extreme precipitation for the period 2010-2021.Our results demonstrated that the most populated and urbanized towns in the Wielkopolska(Greater Poland,west of Warsaw)region are at the most risk in the event of extreme precipitation occurrence as measured by the total number of interventions made by the SFS.The number of SFS unit interventions in towns,standardized to 10,000 inhabitants,indicates that the highest proportional volume of interventions also occurred in smaller towns.In the rural municipalities the number of SFS unit interventions increases along with higher population density and proportion of infrastructure areas.As analyzed in this study,the 12 years from 2010 to 2021 were characterized by a higher number of days with heavy precipitation,for example,20,30,40,and 50 mm,in comparison to the previous periods 1961-2010 and 1981-2010.Intervention databases collected by emergency services are a valuable source of information for hazard mapping.Based on those and other available data,a statistical model was created and factors influencing the local and regional occurrence of interventions were determined.Increasing suburbanization,the rising proportion of impermeable surfaces,and the impact of climate change are of considerable importance in urban flood risk.It is necessary to help municipalities develop abilities to absorb larger amounts of rainwater.