The Ghana National Fire Service in the Central Region has revealed a concerning issue regarding their ability to respond to serious emergencies due to worn-out equipment.
Central Regional Fire Commander ACFO 1 John Amarlai Amartey recounted several instances where crucial fire equipment malfunctioned during emergencies.
He particularly highlighted the breakdown of firefighting vehicles and road traffic collision equipment essential for rescue operations during accidents.
In addition to grappling with equipment challenges, the Regional Commander pointed out a silver lining: during the first quarter of the year, the command achieved a notable 33% reduction in fire incidents.
Despite this achievement, he emphasised the ongoing necessity to engage communities in fire safety campaigns. The goal is to ensure that fire safety education permeates every corner of the region, reaching all residents.
“This is a day meant to honour firefighters for their enormous efforts in fighting fire in the world. But aside from that we need to reflect on the job and some of the changes that can be done thereof. As an institution, one of our major challenges has been the lack of equipment in discharging our duties.
“Our firefighting vehicles are weak and break down often and the same applies to our road traffic collision used in effecting rescue during accidents are weak. Sometimes amid operations, they break down and we are left with no option but to improvise.
“We will be extremely grateful if the government can purchase new equipment that we can use in effecting rescues and very serious emergencies. Fire safety is very important and we have placed a lot of importance on this. What we do with fire safety is mostly to engage in public education. We go to the communities and use their public address systems to address them. Road safety is a shared responsibility and it will take the citizenry and the fire command to fight this” ACFO 1 John Amarlai Amartey told Citi News.
On the issue of officers who have died in the line of duty, the Regional Fire Commander expressed its deepest condolences to families who have lost loved ones adding that the issue of compensations and benefits for the deceased are paid to the families.
“We have fallen heroes in the line of duty and I want to send my deepest condolences to their families. I must also say that compensations and gratuities are also paid by the Service to families. There are times that children of the deceased are taken care of,” ACFO John Amarlai Amartey said.
The command embarked on a walk through some principal streets of Cape Cape Coast from Abura to Adisadel College area through to the Kotokoraba market to sensitise residents on the need to keep fire safe.