Lagos State Government has rolled out a new digital platform, the Lagos Emergency Responder Management System (LERMS), to improve how emergency agencies work together and to shorten response time across the state.
In a statement, the government said the system was unveiled at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic Conference Hall in Alausa, Ikeja. Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Gbenga Oyerinde, described the initiative as a practical step towards making Lagos safer and more responsive.
He explained that the new platform was created to solve the challenges that come with handling emergencies in a busy city like Lagos, where different agencies often work separately.
“LERMS brings together multiple layers of emergency response into a single, unified ecosystem, ensuring seamless coordination among first responders,” he said.
Oyerinde noted that the system brings together key services, including the EKO HELP distress platform, which allows residents to report emergencies through mobile apps, USSD, SMS and other channels. He added that it also links agencies such as LASAMBUS, LASTMA, the Fire Service and other security outfits, making it easier for them to communicate and act quickly during emergencies.
He said the platform includes a structured control centre to manage calls efficiently and an alert system that keeps residents informed during crises. He also highlighted the Ambulance Services Management System, which helps track hospital bed space, coordinate ambulance movement and manage healthcare personnel in real time.
“The advantages are clear: faster response time, improved coordination, better resource allocation and enhanced data intelligence, ultimately reducing loss of lives and property,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Sesan Ogundeko, said the launch was an introduction of the system to emergency responders before it is fully rolled out to residents.
He explained that one of the biggest problems during emergencies has been identifying exact locations, a challenge the new system is designed to fix.
“Your device will automatically transmit your location to responders, eliminating delays caused by trying to describe where an incident is happening,” Ogundeko explained.
He added that the platform would quickly connect victims to the nearest responder, ensuring faster help.
According to him, response time, which currently averages between 12 and 13 minutes, is expected to drop to about five to seven minutes, bringing Lagos closer to global standards. He compared the process to ride-hailing services, where the closest driver is matched to a request.
The government said the introduction of LERMS is part of its wider plan to build a smart city, using technology to improve public services.
In his welcome remarks, the General Manager of the Lagos State Command and Control Centre (LSCCC), Giwa Kennedy, described the system as a major improvement in how emergencies are handled in the state.
He explained that the platform connects residents, responders and the control centre through different channels, including Interactive Voice Response (IVR), SMS, USSD, social media and the Eko Help app.
Kennedy said the system is powered by advanced artificial intelligence that helps confirm the authenticity of calls and incidents, reducing false alarms and improving efficiency.
“LERMS is not just a system; it is a robust framework that enhances real-time monitoring, communication and rapid deployment of resources,” he said.
He added that responders would benefit from tools that allow better communication on the move, as well as systems that track vehicles and equipment for more coordinated operations.
He also noted that the platform would keep residents updated during emergencies through its notification system, while improving medical response by helping authorities monitor hospital capacity and deploy resources where they are needed most.
Describing the system as a shift from the old way of handling emergencies, Kennedy said it offers a more inclusive and technology-driven approach.
“With multiple reporting channels and location-tracking capability, responders can now reach incident scenes faster without delays associated with describing locations,” he said.
Residents have been urged to embrace the system and use it responsibly as the government continues to create awareness ahead of its full rollout.