By
J. K. Nabary, GNA
Winneba (C/R) Jan.
08, GNA – The Winneba District Command of the Ghana National Fire Service
(GNFS) responded to sixty-seven emergency situations to save lives and
properties between January and November 2019.
The figure, though a
significant decrease from the 103 recorded within the same period in 2018,
claimed 17 lives.
Divisional Officer
II (DOII) Esau Sakyi Owusu, Winneba District Fire Commander, who made this
known to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview at Winneba, said but for
their swift response, the number of lives lost could have been more.
According to him,
their swift response to the fire incidents saved 347 lives while an estimated
amount of over one billion Ghana Cedis were saved.
He said the
incidents included 27 fire outbreaks, 27 vehicular accidents, four vehicular
fires, five bush fires, two flood situations, a drowning case and bee invasion.
“This achievement
was as results of our intensive educational campaigns engaged by the safety
department within the period both on the field and at the local FM Radio
stations,” he said.
The Fire Commander
assured the general public of their commitment to work hard to ensure further
reduction in losses of lives and properties within the Winneba enclave and
called for their maximum cooperation.
“As people we should
note that, we are in a period where the dynamics of the weather demand more
attention,” he stated, while advising the general public to strictly adhere to
fire safety regulations.
“The absorption of
moisture around this time exposes materials and make them more prone to fire.
We the personnel of the Fire Service will do our part to ensure fire free year,
but the public also have to play their part,” he added.
DOII Owusu advised
the public to avoid prolong use of air conditioners, stop the behaviors of not
attending to appliances in use at offices, stores and in the homes.
He admonished food
vendors at the lorry parks and the markets to be extra careful when setting
fire for cooking and urged farmers to create fire belts before burning farm
slashes to avoid indiscriminate bush fires.
He further advised
motorist to be extra caution on the read to help prevent carnage on the road
especially with the inception of the harmattan.
GNA
