The Lagos State Government has introduced a new digital platform called the Lagos Emergency Responder Management System to help emergency agencies work better together and respond faster to incidents.
The system was launched in Alausa, Ikeja. The Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Gbenga Oyerinde, said the platform is designed to make Lagos safer and improve how emergencies are handled in the busy city.
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He explained that LERMS will connect different emergency services into one system so they can communicate and act quickly. These services include ambulance, traffic, fire service, and other security agencies.
The platform also includes the EKO HELP system, which allows residents to report emergencies through mobile apps, SMS, USSD, and other channels.
According to the government, the system has a central control centre to manage emergency calls and an alert system to keep residents informed during crises. It also has a feature that tracks ambulance movement, hospital bed space, and medical staff in real time.
Oyerinde said the system will help reduce response time, improve coordination, and save more lives and property.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Sesan Ogundeko, said the system will solve the problem of identifying exact locations during emergencies.
He explained that the platform can automatically send a caller’s location to responders, making it easier and faster to reach the scene.
Ogundeko added that emergency response time, which is currently about 12 to 13 minutes, is expected to reduce to between five and seven minutes.
The General Manager of the Lagos State Command and Control Centre, Giwa Kennedy, said the system uses artificial intelligence to confirm real emergencies and reduce false alarms.
He added that the platform allows better communication among responders and helps track vehicles and equipment during operations.
The government said the new system is part of its plan to build a smart city using technology to improve public services. Residents have been encouraged to use the platform responsibly when it is fully launched.