Fire cases increase by 6.43% this year — GNFS

The country recorded a 6.43 per cent  rise in fire incidents from January to November, this year, compared to the same period last year.

The fire cases increased from 5,258 last year to 5,596 this year. 

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) which released the figures, said the increase in fire incidents was partly due to harsh harmattan conditions earlier this year, with incidents peaking at 917 in February after starting at 802 in January per month. 

However, the numbers dropped significantly to 594 in March and reached a low of 322 in July.

Unfortunately, the trend reversed, with cases rising to 519 in November, largely due to public non-compliance with fire safety measures.

“While this is a concern, it is encouraging to note that 30 per cent of these fire incidents were extinguished by members of the public, this underscores the effectiveness of the service’s public education campaigns,” the Chief Fire Officer (CFO), Julius A. Kuunuor, stated.

The event 

Mr Kuunuor was addressing this year’s GNFS Nine Lessons, Carols and Annual Thanksgiving Service at its headquarters in Accra last Thursday.

The event, which brought together officers, directors, members of the Fire Service Council, clergy, and other dignitaries, was an opportunity to reflect on the year’s achievements and challenges while celebrating the festive season. 

It featured carol singing, scripture readings and thanksgiving to highlight the service’s efforts in ensuring public safety.

Traffic accident 

Mr Kuunuor also touched on the service’s broader operations, stating that GNFS responded to 524 traffic accidents between January and November this year. 

Those incidents, he said, resulted in 248 deaths and 2,141 injuries. 

Additionally, he said, the service performed 156 rescue operations, including incidents involving drowning, bee invasions and people trapped in elevators or manholes, leading to 33 fatalities and 93 injuries.

Looking ahead, CFO Kuunuor assured Ghanaians of the GNFS’s commitment to handle emergencies during the festive season.

“We remain committed to ensuring that our equipment is well-maintained and our personnel are adequately trained to respond to emergencies. The safety of Ghanaians depends on our readiness and I assure you we are prepared,” he said.

Commendation 

The Minister for the Interior, Henry Quartey, in a speech read on his behalf by the Director of the Migration Unit at the Ministry of the Interior, Dominic Afriyie Agyemang, commended the service for its unwavering dedication to safeguarding lives and property in the country.

He stated that this year had been a demanding year for the GNFS due to a surge in fire incidents earlier in the year. 

In spite of the challenges, Mr Quartey said the service rose to the occasion, saving lives, protecting properties and engaging communities through fire safety education campaigns.

He further urged the GNFS to deepen its engagement with the public to promote fire prevention, adding that public education remained a critical tool in reducing fire incidents.

Mr Quartey assured the service of the government’s continued support, announcing plans to equip it with modern tools and training to meet the growing demands of their work.