<<Print>>

The recent spate of fire outbreaks in the country and the consequent loss of both life and property cannot be allowed to pass without comment. It poses a serious challenge to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), which appears ill-equipped to rise to the occasion. The Service has stated that hydrants which serve as a reservoir when that the Service is short of water to fight fires are sealed by the Ghana Water Company with no explanation to the fire-fighters. This is definitely a recipe for disaster! How on earth can authorities sit by and look at these sealed hydrants while fire-fighters struggle for extra water to put out fires in life-threatening situations? Additionally, the Fire Service should have notified the requisite authorities about this obvious hindrance to their activities since the prime purpose for installing the fire hydrants is to benefit fire-fighters, and should not constitute an excuse for their inability to put out raging fires. This only goes to show that some authority is sleeping over the plight of fire victims, and this is unforgivable and totally inexcusable! Such wanton neglect cannot and should not be countenanced. Government should also take a second look at the Service and ensure they are adequately provided with the requisite logistics to enable them carry out their obligations properly. This Paper would also like to suggest that the leadership of the Service take advantage of exchange programmes and go abroad for refresher courses, since they operate in a dynamic environment that requires they are periodically updated in all aspects of fire-fighting and disaster management. In addition to the above, all colonial buildings are buildings that have existed for a period spanning many decades and ought to be checked, especially with regard to electrical wiring and structural defects.