The Lagos State Command and Control Centre has strengthened coordination among first responders to achieve faster emergency response times across the state.
The General Manager of the centre, Mr Femi Giwa, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Giwa said the centre aims to minimise the critical time between life and death by ensuring most incidents receive a response within five to 10 minutes.
Established in 2010, the facility serves as a unified hub for coordinating emergency management in the state.
“The essence of creating the centre was to have a hub where emergency coordination teams comprising first responders can work together seamlessly,” he explained.
“We rely on real-time communication and integrated technology infrastructure to manage what we call the golden hour.”
Once a distress call is received through the state’s toll-free emergency numbers, it is immediately transmitted to the Command and Control Centre and escalated to relevant agencies within minutes.
The multi-agency response framework includes:
– Lagos State Emergency Management Agency
– Rapid Response Squad
– Emergency Medical Services
– Traffic management authorities
Giwa noted that disasters are often localised and unpredictable, making decentralised emergency management essential.
“For example, in areas like Ojuelegba and along Ikorodu Road, we have strategically located fire stations and response units to ensure swift mobilisation,” he said.
“Our goal is to minimise the time between life and death by ensuring response within five to 10 minutes for most incidents.”
He acknowledged challenges such as traffic gridlock, logistics issues, and adverse weather conditions that can sometimes delay response times.
The official emphasised the importance of public cooperation for effective emergency management.
“Residents must give way to vehicles with sirens and support first responders in carrying out life-saving duties,” he urged.
He stressed that collaboration and centralised coordination remain critical to maintaining a robust safety and security architecture in Lagos State.
