The Public Relations Officer for the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), A.D.O1 Alex King Nartey, has expressed concerns about attacks on personnel who arrive late at fire scenes.
According to him, residents manhandle officers in the line of duty and even vandalize fire tenders.
This follows a disturbing incident at the O.A. Travel and Tours terminal at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle (Avenor) where unidentified individuals, incensed by the alleged delay in the Fire Service’s response to a fire emergency, resorted to pelting the fire tenders with stones.
It took the intervention of the police service to restore calm and allow the firefighters to get to work. Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen program, Mr. Nartey said they will not tolerate such attacks from people anymore.
He emphasized that fire personnel will defend themselves with any weapon available should they come under attack.
“If residents continue to attack us in line of duty, whatever weapon we have, we can use it to defend ourselves at the peril of our lives. You cannot attack us during the course of our work; whatever weapon we have, we can use it to attack you” the Fire Service PRO fumed.
Mr. Nartey explained that they often arrive late at fire scenes due to illegal structures located in fire-prone areas in Accra. The presence of such structures hinders the quick and efficient movement of fire tenders.
“Sometimes, the unauthorized placement of metal containers and wooden kiosks for business purposes by private individuals in certain areas also becomes a hindrance for the vehicles to have easy access to the scenes of fire outbreaks,” he added.
Mr. Nartey said they are collaborating with the Police to address the menace of miscreants attacking personnel.
The GNFS on December 20 shared a report from AdomNews expressing the Service’s commitment to retaliate when attacked. But this post has been pulled down.
