Chief Fire Officer’s Christmas And New Year Message
Chief Fire Officer, Edwin Ekow Blandson has called on Ghanaians to adopt proper fire safety practices.
Delivering his Christmas message, the Chief Fire Officer implored the citizenry to install early detection and warning systems as well as fire extinguishers in their houses and work premises.
A statement issued by Mr. Blandson read; ''As the Chief Fire Officer, I wish to assure all Ghanaians that, Management of the Ghana National Fire Service has put in place pragmatic measures to ensure fire safety for your Homes, Places of work (POW), Public Residential Accommodations (PRA), Entertainment and Recreational Centres (ERC), Teacher Training / Research Institutes (TTRI), Places of Assembly (POA), Health Care Services (HCS) and our Roads.
''However, it is worth noting that fire safety or prevention is a shared responsibility and for the fire service to be successful, the citizens must emulate good safety practices by installing early detection and warning systems as well as fire extinguishers in your premises.''
He cautioned the public against engaging in any practices that may cause fires and road carnages, particularly during the yuletide.
''Let us remind ourselves by re-visiting the causes of some fires and carnages on our roads;
● Overloading of electrical sockets
● Improper and careless usage of LPG
● Non maintenance of electrical equipment
● Careless usage and handling of naked flame e.g. Candles
● Improper handling of hydrocarbons and flammable liquids with regards to storage and transportation.
● Improper housekeeping in markets and homes
● Haphazard layouts of our markets and homes and illegal electrical connections and use of inferior materials in wiring.''
Read full statement below:
Chief Fire Officer’s Christmas And New Year Message
Fellow Ghanaians, all so soon Christmas is here again.
Once again, I am highly elated to have the opportunity as the Chief Fire Officer, to deliver my Christmas and New Year Message to the discerning and well-meaning people of Ghana.
The Yuletide is already with us and what gladdens my heart is the fact that even though it’s been a challenging year, with all of its seemingly insurmountable challenges, the Lord Almighty has brought us thus far.
As the Chief Fire Officer, I wish to assure all Ghanaians that, Management of the Ghana National Fire Service has put in place pragmatic measures to ensure fire safety for your Homes, Places of work (POW), Public Residential Accommodations (PRA), Entertainment and Recreational Centres (ERC), Teacher Training / Research Institutes (TTRI), Places of Assembly (POA), Health Care Services (HCS) and our Roads.
However, it is worth noting that fire safety or prevention is a shared responsibility and for the fire service to be successful, the citizens must emulate good safety practices by installing early detection and warning systems as well as fire extinguishers in your premises.
The yuletide as we all know, is often characterized by the influx of all manner of people for business and social interactions; a period for merry making, which comes with its adverse effects. Let us remind ourselves by re-visiting the causes of some fires and carnages on our roads;
● Overloading of electrical sockets
● Improper and careless usage of LPG
● Non maintenance of electrical equipment
● Careless usage and handling of naked flame e.g. Candles
● Improper handling of hydrocarbons and flammable liquids with regards to storage and transportation.
● Improper housekeeping in markets and homes
● Haphazard layouts of our markets and homes and illegal electrical connections and use of inferior materials in wiring.
Statics available from our records puts fire outbreaks from January to 21st December this year at 5966 representing a 4.9 percentage rise in fire outbreaks compared to a figure of 5673 same period in 2019. This is as a result of many domestic activities engaged in by a large number of people during the lockdown period in the wake of the COVID 19 pandemic. This clearly points to the fact that, adherence to fire safety is not being treated with the kind of agency and attention it deserves.
The last quarter of the year has been a great test and a challenge for the Service as we had to grapple with the numerous fire outbreaks in some of our major markets and other areas with all resources available.
It is gratifying to note however that we have so far been able to weather the storm and brought some relief to the many people who were affected.
It is my wish that all the Fire Safety tips put out there is accorded the needed attention to help prevent undesired fires but if it should occur, don’t hesitate to call our emergency number, 112 since we have rolled out a nationwide program operation Red alert which will see additional men on standby 24/7.
I wish to commend all personnel for the high professionalism exhibited during the year 2020. It is my wish that you continue with the rolled out programs for the yuletide which includes Fire Education at the market, lorry parks and other public places.
As a significant partner in national development, we should appreciate the fact that everyday provides an opportunity for the Service to rebrand itself to boost its image and draw the needed support and confidence from the general public. I therefore urge all personnel to be very disciplined and live above reproach. We should maintain a high level of professionalism, integrity and be a positive influence to the Communities in which we live during the festive season and beyond.
It should be the ultimate responsibility of every Fire Officer to ensure that the Yuletide and the New Year are celebrated with Zero occurrence of fire outbreaks; and where they occur our reaction should be prompt and professional.
We also call on the general public to be patient with us; ninety percent (90%) of firefighting is done with water and therefore it is not possible that we would go to a fire scene without water. We can only respond to a distress call before proceeding to a fire scene, we should therefore endeavor to call the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) immediately we suspect or detect fire and not when we try our hands and are not successful.
May the humility of the shepherd, the faith of the wise men, the joy of the angels, and the peace of the Lord Jesus, be God’s gift to us and to all men this Christmas and always. Amen.
I wish all the good people of Ghana, personnel and their families a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
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