The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has kicked off a week-long fire safety awareness campaign ahead of this year’s International Firefighters’ Day, starting with a street float held in collaboration with the Ghana Immigration Service.
Speaking during the launch, Divisional Officer II (DOII) Paul Tawiah called on the public to refrain from attacking firefighters during emergency operations.
In an interview, DOII Tawiah, who serves with the Assin Fosu Municipal Fire Service Division, expressed concern over the increasing hostility faced by firefighters during rescue missions. He described such behaviour as dangerous and counterproductive, warning that it undermines efforts to save lives and property.
He also emphasised the need for stronger fire safety practices within communities. According to him, the only fire tender stationed in Assin Fosu currently serves both the Assin North and Assin South districts, with a limited water capacity of 700 gallons.
Despite these constraints, he noted that firefighters remain committed to responding promptly to emergencies. However, he lamented that instead of supporting rescue efforts, some residents resort to attacking personnel and even damaging vital equipment.
DOII Tawiah urged the public to exercise caution when dealing with fire outbreaks and to always seek professional assistance.
He further pointed to the poor state of roads in the area as a major operational challenge, calling on relevant authorities and stakeholders to improve road conditions to enable faster and more effective emergency response.