Tema: The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Tema Region, has announced plans to reduce fire outbreaks in the region at least by five per cent through enhanced training, intensified inspections, and increased public education.
According to Ghana News Agency, Divisional Officer II, (DOII) Ebenezer Yenzu, the Public Relations Officer, (PRO) for GNFS, Tema Region, stated that as part of this effort, the service would train fire service personnel on modern firefighting techniques and prepare them mentally for the job. DOII Yenzu emphasized that equipping officers with up-to-date knowledge and skills would improve their efficiency in responding to fire emergencies and preventing outbreaks.
He noted that continuous training was necessary to keep fire officers informed about global trends in firefighting, stressing that firefighting was evolving; as such, the personnel needed to be well-trained to handle modern challenges. "There's always new technology, new ways of doing things; we learn from certain incidents that occur," he stated.
The PRO further mentioned that GNFS also plans to strengthen its inspection activities across the country, which would entail regular visits to public places, businesses, markets, and residential areas to ensure that fire safety measures are strictly followed. He added that the inspections would help identify fire hazards so that appropriate actions could be taken to prevent disasters, noting that many fire outbreaks resulted from negligence, such as faulty electrical wiring, improper storage of flammable materials, and failure to adhere to basic safety regulations.
He highlighted that GNFS aims to increase fire safety awareness among the public, organizing educational campaigns to teach people how to prevent and respond to fire outbreaks. DOII Yenzu specified that the campaigns would focus on markets, schools, workplaces, and communities, ensuring that the public understands the importance of fire safety measures. He assured Ghanaians of GNFS's commitment to providing timely responses to fire emergencies while working proactively to prevent incidents before they occur, and encouraged the public to report fire hazards promptly and follow safety guidelines to contribute to a safer environment.
