DCFO James Owusu-Adjei, Director in charge of Rural Fire at the Ghana National Fire Service has asked the public to stop inferring with the work of the service when they are on the beat to containing outbreaks.
He said usually, the public accuses them of coming to the scene of outbreaks without water in their fire tenders.
He stated that such assertions are made out of ignorance and under no circumstances do fire tenders go to fire scenes without water.
He lamented that some people attack them and go to the extent of plying stones at them when they go to contain fire outbreaks.
In an interview with Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm, he stated that the service personnel are trained to contain fire outbreaks, but that when the public interferes with what they do, it can have an impact on them.
He revealed that when you see a fire tender leaving a fire scene, it means it arrived, used the water in the tender, and is on its way to bring another to help with the fire’s containment. We do not respond to fire scenes without water. That is incorrect. The claim that we do not arrive on time at scenes is also false. The problem is that there aren’t enough fire stations in the country”.
He also stated that some people who are affected by outbreaks do not always contact the service on time.
He then advised people to allow fire trucks to move safely to areas where there is an outbreak.
“Some drivers refuse to let our tenders pass through, even with sirens. Allow us to do our job of putting out the fire. We’ve been trained for it, so if you don’t let us work, it may have an impact on what we do. You might be the one affected, so if you’re driving and you hear sure tenders, give them the right of way.”
He stated that fighting outbreaks is a shared responsibility.
He urged the public to take fire safety precautions to avoid outbreaks.
By: Rainbowradioinline.com/Ghana