- Lagos Targets 5-Minute Emergency Response with New Digital Platform
- The system also features a multi-tier control centre for efficient call routing
- Officials described LERMS as a key component of Lagos’ smart city agenda
The Lagos State Government has launched a new technology-driven emergency platform, the Lagos Emergency Responder Management System (LERMS), aimed at improving coordination among response agencies and cutting down response time across the state, Eko Hot Blog reports.
Speaking at the unveiling in Alausa, Ikeja, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Gbenga Oyerinde, described LERMS as a transformative system designed to modernise emergency management in a fast-growing urban environment.
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He said the initiative would unify multiple emergency services into a single ecosystem, enabling seamless collaboration among first responders and eliminating the inefficiencies of fragmented response structures.
According to Oyerinde, the platform integrates key services, including the EKO HELP distress system, allowing residents to report emergencies through mobile apps, USSD, SMS and other communication channels.
He added that critical agencies such as Lagos State Ambulance Service, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, the Fire Service and security outfits would now operate on a shared platform for faster communication and coordinated deployment.
The system also features a multi-tier control centre for efficient call routing and an emergency notification framework that delivers real-time updates to residents during crises.
Oyerinde noted that one of the key components is an advanced ambulance management system that integrates hospital bed tracking, ambulance dispatch and coordination of medical personnel, which is expected to significantly improve healthcare response.
Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Sesan Ogundeko, said the rollout would address long-standing challenges in emergency response, particularly delays caused by difficulty in identifying incident locations.
He explained that the system automatically transmits a caller’s location to responders, enabling faster intervention and reducing response time from an average of 12–13 minutes to about five to seven minutes.
Ogundeko likened the system’s operation to ride-hailing platforms, where the nearest available responder is dispatched based on urgency and proximity.
In his remarks, the General Manager of the Lagos State Command and Control Centre, Giwa Kennedy, said LERMS represents a major advancement in emergency response operations.
He explained that the platform supports multiple communication channels, including Interactive Voice Response, SMS, USSD, social media and the Eko Help application, ensuring broader access for residents.
Kennedy added that the system is powered by artificial intelligence capable of verifying caller authenticity and incident credibility, helping to reduce false alarms and improve operational efficiency.
He said the platform also includes in-vehicle communication tools, asset tracking for responders and a centralised control system to enhance decision-making and coordination during emergencies.
Officials described LERMS as a key component of Lagos’ smart city agenda, noting that it would improve service delivery, optimise resource allocation and ultimately reduce loss of lives and property.
Residents have been urged to adopt the platform responsibly as the government intensifies awareness campaigns ahead of its full rollout.
