The Chief Fire Officer (CFO) of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Mr. Julius Kuunuor, has reported a reduction in nationwide fire outbreaks in 2023 compared to the previous year.
According to the CFO, there was a decrease of 274 incidents, which represents a 4.92% decline for the first 11 months of 2023.
The GNFS recorded 5,256 fire incidents during this period, in contrast to the 5,530 incidents reported in the corresponding period of 2022.
“This is due to the extensive Public Fire Safety Education carried out nationwide. Through the timely intervention of the Service, properties worth millions of cedis were salvaged,” he said.
During the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols and the 60th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Mr. Julius Kuunuor reported a reduction in fire incidents nationwide for the first 11 months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.
The CFO stated that the GNFS recorded 5,256 incidents, representing a 4.92% decline from the 5,530 incidents reported in the corresponding period of 2022.
Mr. Kuunuor also shared information on the GNFS’s involvement in road traffic accidents, rescue operations, and fire safety education. The GNFS attended to 532 road traffic accidents, recording 2,557 injuries and 263 deaths.
Additionally, they performed 177 rescue duties, addressing incidents such as drowning, bee attacks, and elevator entrapments, resulting in 129 injuries and 40 deaths. The GNFS conducted 17,877 fire safety education sessions in various public and private institutions nationwide.
In terms of Human Resources Development, the Fire Academy and Training School trained 1,000 recruits and 339 Officer Cadets. However, the GNFS reported the loss of 37 personnel in the year, including 18 senior officers and 19 junior officers, as of November 30.
The Minister of Interior, Mr. Ambrose Dery, commended the GNFS for its dedicated service and commitment to ensuring community safety and security. The event also honored retired officers, including DCFO Gilbert Wiafe, DCFO Obeng Dankwa Dwamena, and DCFO Paa Kwasi Adutwum, for their selfless service.