The Ghana National Fire Service Municipal Commander for Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai, DO II Enock Tetteh, has revealed that the municipality has recorded fewer than ten fire incidents from January to November this year. He, however, assured the public that the service is working assiduously to reduce the number even further before the end of the year and into the next.
Speaking on Okyeame Radio Oman No Adwuma show with AkuapemHann, Mr. Tetteh emphasized that human lives are priceless and stressed the need for collective effort to prevent fire outbreaks, noting that properties will definitely be burned whenever there’s outbreak.
He urged shop owners to welcome firefighters into their premises for fire safety education and advised drivers, commercial motorbike (pragya) riders, and tricycle operators to equip their vehicles with fire extinguishers to prepare for emergencies cautioning against indiscriminate burning of refuse while cigarette smokers and hunters should also be wary of their actions.
The Fire Commander disclosed that a joint swoop exercise with the police will soon be conducted to clamp down on pragya riders operating without fire extinguishers, revealing that over 99% of them currently do not have one.
He described fire safety as a shared responsibility and lamented that many residents do not know the direct contact number of the local fire station. He encouraged everyone to get the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipal Fire Service hotline.
Mr. Tetteh also cautioned against indiscriminate refuse burning, careless disposal of cigarette butts, and uncontrolled bush burning by hunters, as these are major causes of fire outbreaks during the harmattan season.
He further appealed to households to acquire at least one fire extinguisher, stressing that prevention is far better and cheaper than relying solely on the fire service after an incident occurs.
Finally, he urged the public to stop making baseless accusations against firefighters during emergencies and advised residents in the municipality to call the local fire station directly via 0248772123 instead of the national emergency lines (192, 112, or 911) for faster response.
Story filed by: AKUAPEM-HANN KWAME OMONO ASAMOAH – Bibiani
