By Sammuella Quartey
In commemoration of Firefighters Day, the Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Julius Kuunor, highlighted the alarming trend of assaults on firefighters by the public and called for justice for these gallant personnel. Mr Kuunor said attacking firefighters, who courageously respond to emergencies, is not only morally reprehensible but also a violation of the laws of Ghana.
In recent months, the firefighting personnel have faced unwarranted attacks from some members of the public.
The attackers accused the officers of delayed response to fire outbreaks, unfairly targeting the brave men and women who risk their lives to protect the communities. These unwarranted assaults not only endanger the lives of firefighters but also hinder their ability to effectively respond to emergencies. Firefighting personnel from Nkawie, Konongo, and Komfo Anokye fire stations were recently attacked, which resulted in the vandalisation of two fire appliances and the injury of a firefighter.
The Chief Fire Officer, Mr Julius Kuunor, said management is ready to collaborate with relevant security agencies to identify and prosecute perpetrators of such barbaric acts to the fullest extent of the law.
CFO Kuunor said the destruction of fire engines puts financial burden on the state and affects the ability of personnel to respond to future emergencies.
During the first quarter of 2023, the service recorded 2,177 instances of fires, whereas the corresponding period in 2024 witnessed a marginally higher count of 2291 fires, marking a surge of 114 incidents, indicative of a 5.24 percent increase in the first rate.
Institutional fires also registered an uptick from 76 to 84 instances, marking a 10.53 percent rise during the period of scrutiny. However, amidst these trends, the service is hopeful that as domestic, industrial vehicular, and commercial fires decline, the larger Ghanaian society will embrace the campaign on fire safety.
