The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has pledged to continue broadcasting its rescue and intervention efforts during fire outbreaks and accidents as part of a strategy to rebuild public trust and address negative perceptions about the Service.
Speaking to Accra-based JoyNews, ADO1 Alex King Nartey, the Public Relations Officer of the GNFS, acknowledged the negative public image that the Service has faced over the years. He stressed that one of their key approaches is to engage the public more actively and showcase their role in rescue missions.
“Many people have had negative perceptions about the Fire Service. One strategy we are adopting is to involve people in what we do and to use public broadcasts as a way of dispelling rumours and misconceptions,” he explained.
According to ADO1 Nartey, broadcasting fire incidents and accidents serves as a public service announcement, allowing people to better understand the GNFS’s role in such situations.
He elaborated, “There might be a fire or an accident somewhere, and people might draw their own conclusions. Broadcasting these incidents can bring someone’s attention to the fact that there is a situation and help people appreciate our interventions.”
He further noted that the GNFS is typically the first agency called upon to assist during accidents, especially when lives are at risk.
“Whenever there is an accident, the first point of call is the Fire Service to aid in any rescue mission,” he emphasized, underscoring the critical role the Service plays in ensuring quick responses to emergencies.
However, ADO1 Nartey also addressed the recent criticism the Service faced after sharing images of victims from a tragic car accident at East Legon on October 12. The images, which showed the charred bodies of two young girls, were met with public outrage. In response, the GNFS issued an apology for the distress caused.
“We apologise for the gory pictures. That was not our intention. We respect the dead and their families,” he said.
Reiterating the Service’s role during accidents, he pointed to the East Legon incident, explaining that while the police maintain law and order, the GNFS is responsible for retrieving victims from accident scenes. “It’s our job to rescue people and hand them over to the police,” Nartey added.
The tragic East Legon accident involved a collision between a Jaguar SUV, driven by 16-year-old Elrad Salifu Amoako, and a 4×4 Acura vehicle. Both vehicles caught fire upon impact, leading to the deaths of 12-year-olds Justine Agbenu and Maame Dwomoh.
The police have since identified the victims and arrested Elrad’s parents, Bishop Elisha Salifu Amoako and Mouha Amoako, who are assisting with investigations.
The PRO emphasized that the GNFS will continue to broadcast its interventions during fire incidents and emergencies.
“The person’s life might be fading away, so the quicker you call us, the faster we can respond,” he noted, urging the public to appreciate the critical nature of their work.
The GNFS remains committed to correcting any misconceptions and maintaining transparency with the public through their broadcasts.