Greater Accra Region records more fire outbreaks

The Greater Accra Region recorded a total of 1,032 fire outbreaks in 2014, with seven deaths and six people sustaining various degrees of injury.

This compares to 847 to fire incidents occurred in 2013, in which five people died and nine sustained various injuries, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, (ACFO) Samuel Nana Brenyah, Greater Accra Regional Fire Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) announced in Accra on Wednesday.

He said from January- March, the Region recorded 331 fire outbreaks and the current estimation indicates that more fire outbreaks might occur by the close of the year.

Speaking at a stakeholders' forum organised by the Regional Headquarters of the Fire Service, ACFO Brenyah said the rampart fire outbreaks which also cause extensive damages to property, has become inimical to the development of the nation.

The forum attended by personnel from the Ghana Police Service, Town and Country Planning, National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and GNFS personnel is aimed at identifying and improving upon challenges in fire fighting in the region.

ACFO Brenyah said the Regional Command has taken upon itself to bring stakeholders together to forge a way forward in the prevention and management of undesired fires, since fire preventing and fire fighting is a shared responsibility.

“The lead agency, the GNFS has a part to play. The citizenry has a part to play and stakeholders also have apart to play.

He, therefore, called for support and cooperation of stakeholders like the Ghana Water Company, Electricity Company of Ghana, Ghana Ambulance Service and the media to help in preventing fires.

Chief Fire Officer, Dr Albert Brown-Gaise said Fire safety must be seen as a socio-economic factor.

He said the nation cannot develop without adequate preparation of fire preventing strategies.

He said the Fire Service should therefore be proactive rather than reactive in reaching out to the people and educate them on fire prevention.

Dr Brown-Gaise said the fire officers should therefore avail themselves of capacity building programmes that would soon be rolled out for the personnel to improve their physical fitness and stimulation exercises.

He said courses in fire investigation as well as operational capacity would also be organised.

The Chief Fire Officer also urged the fire personnel to ensure discipline among the rank and file while discharging their duties with the zeal of serving the nation.