It has emerged that some personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) who risked their lives and braved the storm to fight the GOIL filling station gas explosion at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle on June 3, inhaled hydrocarbon fumes while saving lives at the disaster scene.
Led by the Chief Fire Officer himself, Dr. Albert Brown Gaisie, personnel of the service who swiftly rushed to the fire and flood scene, professionally managed to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby structures such as another filling station opposite the GOIL filling station and the Ghana Commercial Bank tower.
Fighting the explosion which is akin to the California fires, the DAILY HERITAGE has gathered, was one of the toughest firefighting missions undertaken by the service.
The difficult mission stemmed from the fact that the officers battled fuel fire which was extremely dangerous.
Some residents who witnessed the firefighting skills of the personnel told the paper during a follow-up tour to the disaster scene that the “GNFS deserves an ‘A’ for a job well done.”
They suggested that officials who participated in the unique firefighting ought to be awarded to serve as motivation to others.
Kwasi Adu, a Compact Disk seller who witnessed the role of the fire service personnel called on government to resource the service adequately for future difficult assignments.
He said if the service had enough equipment, they would have even done better and said “I think this one the fire service did very well, it is time the public appreciate the fire service.”
Recounting his experience, Mr. Adu said, he saw the personnel struggling in the floods to save lives, while others fought the raging fire and suggested that “they should teach them how to swim so that next time they can swim far and save many people.”
Many of the residents the paper spoke to, commended the Chief Fire Officer for changing the way they work.
In another interview, a building consultant and trained engineer, Silvanus Kumi sharing his thoughts on the disaster suggested that such key services as the GNFS and the Ghana Immigration Service must always have heads who are professionals and have risen through the ranks for discipline and effectiveness.
He said to radically reform the GNFS, it ought to be well-resourced and risk allowance paid to those who risk their lives in certain circumstances.
He also called for the intensification of simulation exercise undertaken by the service at the airport towers and other areas, as well as the fire safety week being embarked upon by the outfit.
Mr. Kumi further suggested that institutions and other well-wishers can also contribute funds to support the service to acquire more equipment.
“I also think that as a way of raising funds for the service homes should be compelled to acquire fire extinguishers certified by the service. Also, the service must be allowed to check fire extinguishers in vehicles because they have the technical know-how.” He suggested.
<<Print>>