The Lagos State Government has introduced a cutting-edge digital solution, the Lagos Emergency Responder Management System (LERMS), designed to enhance collaboration among emergency agencies and drastically cut down on response times throughout the state.
Announced during a launch event at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic Conference Hall in Alausa, Ikeja, the system was presented as a major leap forward for public safety. Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Gbenga Oyerinde, emphasized that the initiative directly tackles the coordination gaps that often plague emergency management in a densely populated urban hub like Lagos.
“LERMS unifies various emergency response layers into a single, integrated ecosystem, ensuring that first responders can work together seamlessly,” Oyerinde stated. He highlighted that the platform incorporates the EKO HELP distress system, enabling residents to report incidents via mobile apps, USSD, SMS, and other channels. It also interconnects agencies such as LASAMBUS, LASTMA, the Fire Service, and security outfits, facilitating rapid communication and action during crises.
The system features a centralized control center for efficient call handling and an alert system to keep the public informed during emergencies. Additionally, the Ambulance Services Management Module allows real-time tracking of hospital bed availability, ambulance deployment, and healthcare personnel coordination.
“The benefits are clear: faster response, improved coordination, optimized resource allocation, and better data-driven decision-making, which ultimately saves lives and property,” Oyerinde added.
Permanent Secretary Sesan Ogundeko noted that the launch serves as an introduction for emergency responders ahead of a full rollout to residents. He pointed out that one of the system’s key advantages is its ability to automatically transmit a caller’s precise location to responders, eliminating the delays often caused by trying to verbally describe incident sites.
“Your device will automatically share your location with responders, so there’s no more wasted time describing where an incident occurred,” Ogundeko explained. The platform will instantly connect victims to the nearest available responder, ensuring faster assistance.
Ogundeko revealed that the current average response time of 12 to 13 minutes is expected to drop to between five and seven minutes, aligning Lagos more closely with global benchmarks. He likened the system to ride-hailing apps, where the closest driver is matched to a request.
The government frames the LERMS deployment as a key component of its broader smart city vision, leveraging technology to enhance public services.
General Manager of the Lagos State Command and Control Centre (LSCCC), Giwa Kennedy, described LERMS as a groundbreaking improvement in emergency management. He explained that the platform connects residents, responders, and the command center through multiple channels, including Interactive Voice Response (IVR), SMS, USSD, social media, and the Eko Help app.
“The system is powered by advanced artificial intelligence that verifies the authenticity of calls and incidents, which helps reduce false alarms and boosts efficiency,” Kennedy said. He added that responders will benefit from tools that enable better mobile communication, vehicle tracking, and equipment management for more coordinated operations.
The platform also features a resident notification system to keep the public updated during emergencies, while improving medical response by monitoring hospital capacity and directing resources where they are most needed.
Kennedy called the system a paradigm shift from traditional emergency handling, offering a more inclusive, technology-driven approach. “With multiple reporting channels and location-tracking capabilities, responders can now reach incident scenes faster without the delays of describing locations,” he noted.
Residents are encouraged to adopt the system and use it responsibly as the government ramps up awareness campaigns ahead of its full-scale implementation.