The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has handed over vehicles and equipment — the Automated Fire Compliance and Safety System (AFCAS) — to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to strengthen its operational capacity.
It included five buses, 10 motorbikes, six Foton pickups, five Nanni electric saloon cars, phones and scanning devices.
The event took place at the GNFS Headquarters in Accra.
The equipment will support operations of the service by enhancing mobility of personnel and also improving their response times to fire and other emergencies.
The automated fire compliance and safety system is also to improve the processes for fire-safety inspections and compliance monitoring.
Mr Mohammed-Mubarak said the effectiveness of fire personnel depended not only on their professionalism and courage, but also on access to modern equipment, reliable logistics and operational tools necessary to respond swiftly and effectively.
He said investment in emergency response should be regarded as an investment in public safety, national resilience and sustainable development.
“I, therefore, charge the leadership, management and personnel of the Fire Service to ensure that these vehicles and equipment are managed with the ultimate professionalism, maintained diligently and deployed responsibly for the purposes for which they were provided or acquired,” the minister said.
He also entreated citizens to support efforts of the GNFS by adhering to fire-safety regulations, promoting safety awareness and cooperating with emergency responders.
Fire tenders
Mr Mohammed-Mubarak further indicated that processes for appointment of suppliers for new fire tenders had been completed by the Central Tender Committee.
He said a contract would soon be signed to that effect, after which the first batch of the fire tenders would arrive in the country within four months, subject to the completion of the necessary processes.
Operational readiness
The Chief Fire Officer, Daniella Mawusi Ntow-Sarpong, said her outfit was operating in an increasingly complex environment, with urbanisation, increased vehicle traffic, commercial activities and emerging technologies creating new fire risks.
“These developments require a fire service that is properly equipped, adequately prepared and capable of responding rapidly and professionally to emergencies,” she said.
Mrs Ntow-Sarpong, therefore, said the provision of the AFCAS vehicles and equipment had come at an important time and would enhance the operational capabilities of the service.
“More importantly, they will contribute to our ability to save lives, property and minimise the impact of disasters in our communities,” she added.
The Chief Fire Officer charged personnel entrusted with the vehicles and equipment to handle them with the highest level of professionalism and responsibility.
