Officials from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) in the Ashanti Region are lamenting the lack of adequate operational fire engines and other logistics, which hinder their duties.
The Ashanti Regional Commander of the GNFS has thus appealed to residents in the region to avoid exacerbating this challenge by attacking firefighters in the line of duty.
These remarks were made by GNFS during activities commemorating this year’s International Firefighters’ Day, themed, “Contribution of the Firefighters to Safety, National Security, and Sustainable Development”.
Attacks on firefighters in the line of duty have become a concern for the GNFS. They recently threatened to boycott areas known for such attacks.
Residents often attack firefighters due to concerns about delayed arrival at fire scenes.
While the GNFS condemns these actions, they also lament the inadequate number of operational fire hydrants and other essential logistics and resources needed for their operations.
The Ashanti Regional Commander of the GNFS, ACFO Henry Fatai Giwah, in an interview with Citi News, called on the public to report fire outbreaks early to minimize damage to life and property.
“The major factors that hinder our progress is fire hydrants at strategic locations. You get to a place at a station where the hydrants have been blocked or dried and water is not flowing. You are left to call for fire tenders from other districts.
“When it happens, you deprive others who may be in need of fire tenders when a fire happens within that jurisdiction. The second factor is lack of enough fire stations in the Ashanti region and lack of other logistics,” he said.
The Chairman of the Ashanti Regional Security Council, Simon Osei-Mensah, acknowledged and commended the efforts of firefighters.
He condemned attacks on fire officers in the region, assuring that perpetrators will be dealt with.
“We recognize the numerous challenges fire fighters face. We have recorded some attacks on our firefighters in line of their duties. A few culprits have been arrested and I’m monitoring the court proceedings. I believe the court will do the needful to do deter others from repeating these unwarranted attacks,” he warned.
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