Fire Officer concerned about endemic bush fires

Story: Tim Dzamboe, Ho
THE Assistant Chief Fire Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) in charge of the Volta Region, Mr Ekow E. Blankson, has warned people in the region to strive in preventing fire outbreaks, which had become endemic and uncontrollable in the area.
According to him, the violations were too many that they needed a stronger collaborative force to reverse the unimaginable incidents of fire outbreaks.
At the re-launch of fire safety and bush fire prevention campaign in Ho, Mr Blankson said last year the service responded to 35 incidents of fire outbreaks but had responded to unimaginable figure of 61 within a period of two-and-a-half months this year.
He, therefore, called for a new approach to improve upon fire detective devices as well as managing incidents of fire outbreaks very well should they occur.
Mr Blankson expressed concern about the way people ignore safety education by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).
He blamed top officers at decision-making positions for failing to open up for expert advice, forgetting that being knowledgeable in fire safety education meant taking protection into one’s own hands.
In an address read on behalf of the Volta Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Dzamesi, he called on the GNFS to collaborate further to sustain public education on keeping the nation safe from fires.
He underscored the need for collective responsibility required to prevent fire outbreaks.
He charged District Assemblies to enforce the bye-laws on bush fires by providing logistics and building volunteer corps to fight bush fires.
Mr Dzamesi also urged the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Ghana Police Service, the Town and Country Planning Department and allied agencies to team up with the GNFS to protect the society.
A fire magazine edited at the regional level of the GNFS also launched at the function.
Meanwhile, a fire evacuation drill has been held at the Ho Polytechnic as part of efforts to sensitise the polytechnic community to fire safety techniques.