Konongo Fire Station Under Resourced

Investigations by the Ghanaian Chronicle have revealed that the virtual burning beyond retrieval of property during fire outbreaks in the Asante Akim North District is due to the shortage of manpower.

This has culminated in only one driver manning the fire Tender at the Konongo station instead of three considering that one would be off duty at any given time, and the other two taking each shift.

A surprise visit to the station on Monday, November 11 by the Chronicle confirmed the unprepared nature of the service, if there was an emergency at the time, as it was discovered that only two firemen were on duty. Another two were expected to perform the night duty.

To amplify the joke, the only driver of the fire tender was out of station and said to have gone to collect his monthly salary.

The second in-charge of the station, Divisional Officer G/2 Ohene-Adu told Chronicle enquiries that the fire tender has been "booked out of commission," meaning that even though the vehicle is in good condition, it cannot be used in the absence of the driver.

In an emergency, which usually occurs at nights, personnel have had to walk for about a mile to fetch the driver from his residence to drive the fire engine to the scene.

Ohene-Adu said the station needs a staff of 45 as against the present 16, which, according to him, five are required to man the fire tender whilst one is at the watch-room.

He appealed to the District Assembly to assist them to accommodate fire personnel, a problem he himself is facing and has had to lodge in one of the offices for the past two years.

Not only is the station short of man-power which is on a two shift system, but the personnel are also ill-motivated since they even have to bear their medical expenses.

Due to the shortage, the fire station was locked up on Sunday, November 10, this year to enable the few personnel attend to an emergency call.

Since January, this year, there has been six fire outbreaks here resulting in their gutting the property affected due to the late responses of the fire fighters.

In an interview, the district chief executive, Mr. George Frimpong appealed to the fire service authorities to beef up the strength of the personnel, especially that of drivers to ensure promptitude in emergencies.

According to him, if the situation of under-staffing is not remedied, unscrupulous persons could vandalise the ?1.64 billion Fire Tender should the status quo of only one driver and late arrivals to emergencies continue.