The Tema Regional Command of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has inaugurated a 50-community fire volunteer contingent at Kpone in Greater Accra, equipped with skills and tools to manage minor fire incidents.
The ceremony, held at the Methodist Basic School Park in the Kpone-Katamansu District, forms part of the Service’s awareness creation on bushfire prevention.
The contingents would manage minor fires and rely on official fire services when needed.
Their training will help fill the gap in firefighting until the GNFS gets an established dedicated service station at Kpone.
The Deputy Chief Fire Officer (DCFO) Owusu Adjie, Director in Charge of Rural Fires at GNFS, said the significance of the volunteers could not be over-emphasized, particularly amidst the harmattan season.
He said the theme: “60 Years of Existence: Bushfire Prevention—Key to Sustaining Our Natural Resources and Food Security” was carefully chosen by the GNFS to highlight its role in protecting lives and safeguarding natural resources.”
“Through initiatives like these, GNFS has an objective to mitigate the devastating impact of bushfires and foster a culture of proactive prevention within communities across Ghana” DCFO Adjie said.
He noted that with the industrial hub of Tema, occurrences of bushfires would pose significant risks to national installations.
Nii Tetteh Otu II, the Paramount Chief of Kpone Traditional Area and Chairman for the occasion, commended the GNFS for the initiative and expressed his full support to ensure effective work by the volunteers.
He called for assistance from the Government to the Fire Service, emphasizing the critical role it played in combating fire incidents.
A total of 5,656 fire volunteers have been trained nationwide to play a pivotal role in bolstering firefighting capabilities and enhancing community resilience.
Source: myghanadaily
