The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) is warning the public, particularly those who have made it a habit to assault firefighters who show up late to scenes of fire.The most recent warning comes after inhabitants of Apraman, an agricultural town near Kade, confronted and resisted Asamankese Fire Station officials soon after they arrived at a fire site.As their tender was already being deployed, the staff members of the Asamankese Fire Station, who were to aid their colleagues at the Kade station, issued a desperate appeal for assistance.
But the Asamankese tender also had an issue at Topreman, which is two kilometers from Apraman; as a result, the firemen had to use a private car to the site. The locals became enraged by this circumstance and attacked the firefighters as a result.By utilizing buckets of water to effectively confine and control the fire, the firemen were able to evaluate the situation and work with the angry residents after ASP Ernest Danso of the Ghana Police Service intervened promptly to diffuse the tension.Tragically, the contents of four separate residential units—each with nine bedrooms—were destroyed in the process. No injuries were reported, though.
Eastern Regional Fire Service people Relations Officer D03 Ignatius Baidoo discussed the matter and urged the people to avoid abusing firemen, pointing out that they put their lives in danger to save lives and safeguard the property of fire victims, in an interview with Citi News.
“The Kade Fire Station received a distressed call on February 8 due to a fire outbreak. Because the tender was out of commission, having broken down, it couldn’t respond to the fire scene. So a call was made to the Asamankese Fire Station. The distance from Kade to Asamankese is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes by car. However, the tender encountered a problem on its way. They had to take a private car to the scene. Our men were heckled, insulted, and even one of them was pushed down.”
“My appeal to the public is that when firefighters arrive at the scene, and if you perceive a delay due to misinformation or the fire service not receiving timely information, please allow them to assess the situation. Don’t insult us because we put our lives on the line to reach your properties and salvage the situation. We will continue to serve, and we will not relent in our efforts,” D03 Ignatius Kwamina Baidoo said.
