ASHANTI RECORDS 572 FIRE OUTBREAKS (MIRROR, PAGE 34, DEC 24, 2010)

AFrom George Ernest Asare, Kumasi

A TOTAL of 572 fire outbreaks, including domestic, industrial, vehicle and bushfires were recorded in the Ashanti Region between January and November this year.
The estimated cost of property totally destroyed by fire in the region during the period were pegged at Gh¢ 2,254,878.80.
The Ashanti Regional Fire Officer, ACFO, Mr P. A. Mensah, who made this known when the acting Chief Fire Officer, Mr Albert Brown-Gaisie, paid a familiarisation visit to Kumasi, said during the same period last year, a total of 602 fire outbreaks were recorded.
He said a total of GH¢2,342,538 properties were also destroyed last year. Mr Mensah pointed out that during the period under review, the various regional fire stations responded positively to rescue exercises, especially during road traffic collisions involving various vehicles.
Explaining, he said, they responded to 63 road traffic collisions, which caused 27 deaths as a result of multiple injuries the victims sustained.
He said in all, 76 passengers who sustained injuries were rushed to hospital, making it possible for them to receive medical care.
He said compared to last year, there had been a decrease in fire outbreaks in the region and attributed the situation to the safety education campaigns being carried out.
He pointed out that the fire safety educational campaigns were gradually creating the needed awareness, saying, “ The public now fully appreciate the socio-economic effects of fire outbreaks”.
Assuring that they would not relent their effort to move the fire safety campaigns to market places, churches, educational institutions, industries and the media among other places.
He pointed out that as part of their educational campaigns, they observed a safety week between December 6 and 10, on the theme “ Fire safety, everybody’s concern”.
He said during the campaign they interacted with many female groups, institutions, radio stations, artisans and market women.
He said notwithstanding the numerous challenges confronting them in their educational campaigns and core duties of responding to emergencies, they lacked the needed equipment that would facilitate their operations.
He said Fire Stations at Kuntanase, Agona, Ejura, New Edubiase, Fomena and Nkenkansu among others do not have fire appliances.
He said those with appliances such as Manhyia, Mamponteng, Komfo Anokye and Bekwai “ have developed weak engines and have therefore been booked out of commission”.
On the numerical strength of their staff, Mr Mensah said out of 541 personnel in the region, “a good number are on terminal leave prior to retirement”
He, therefore, pleaded that authorities place high premium on recruitment and manpower development as a way of beefing up their strength.
In his remarks, Mr Brown-Gaisie commended personnel in the region for their commitment to their core businesses.
He also assured of the measures being taken to provide them with the needed equipment to facilitate their operations.