Loading
30th November, 2010
WR Ghana National Fire Service Faces Logistical Challenges
The Western Regional Command of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) is confronted with daunting challenges including inadequate resources and personnel, as it prepares to respond to fire emergencies that may possible energe from the oil industry.
In an exclusive interview with the “Times” on how the command has prepared for the oil find, the Western Regional Commander of the GNFS, Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO)Stephen Cobbina said that, his outfit anticipate an increase in fire cases when oil drilling beings next month.
He noted that since the region would be exposed to highly inflammable substances, the command was worried that it had not been adequately equipped to meet the challenges that the oil and gas industry will pose to emergencies.
Mr. Cobbina said most of the equipment in his outfit were outdated while others were aging and could not function well, adding that “the command is currently left with only six fire tender and one water tanker.
He said since the oil and gas activity would be an offshore operation, fire personnel needed to be trained to familiarize them combating fire on the rig, but not that “this is yet to done.
The Fire Commander pointed out that, the number of personnel in the region totaled 414, stressing that it carry out its operations throughout the region.
He stated that one district, Juaboso, had only four fire personnel while Half Assini had three, saying that even with that, there were no fire tenders available for them to use and “as a result what they mainly do is to sensitize the communities to adopt safety measures to prevent fire outbreaks.”
The Regional Commander said that aside such daunting challenges that affected their operational efficiency, the issue of accommodation for staff had also remained a major problem for the command.
“It will interest you to know that I am the only one who has been accommodated at the Sekondi Ridge,” Mr. Cobbina said adding that, his deputy and the remaining staff were renting apartments on their own.
He however said that despite the challenges, the command was still striving to be effective as possible.
He said that as part of its proactive initiative to reduce fire outbreaks, the command had embarked on an intensive five education programme in all districts in the region through radio discussions, down broadcast as well as regular visits to organizations to ensure that the best practices were adopted to prevent fire outbreaks.
The command, he said, had also trained and issued certificates to about 63 organizations in the region on fire prevention. Some of the organizations included GHACEM, West Africa Mills Company Limited (WAMCO) and Tarkwa Goldfields.
To enforce the fire Safety Regulation Mr. Cobbina said that four officers within the command had been trained in the art of prosecution at the Ghana Law School to prosecutor defaulting institutions and organizations.
Mr. Cobbina said that “these and many other measures have been devised in preparation to deal with challenges which many emerge from the oil find but government sought to do more to help us to succeed.
In an exclusive interview with the “Times” on how the command has prepared for the oil find, the Western Regional Commander of the GNFS, Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO)Stephen Cobbina said that, his outfit anticipate an increase in fire cases when oil drilling beings next month.
He noted that since the region would be exposed to highly inflammable substances, the command was worried that it had not been adequately equipped to meet the challenges that the oil and gas industry will pose to emergencies.
Mr. Cobbina said most of the equipment in his outfit were outdated while others were aging and could not function well, adding that “the command is currently left with only six fire tender and one water tanker.
He said since the oil and gas activity would be an offshore operation, fire personnel needed to be trained to familiarize them combating fire on the rig, but not that “this is yet to done.
The Fire Commander pointed out that, the number of personnel in the region totaled 414, stressing that it carry out its operations throughout the region.
He stated that one district, Juaboso, had only four fire personnel while Half Assini had three, saying that even with that, there were no fire tenders available for them to use and “as a result what they mainly do is to sensitize the communities to adopt safety measures to prevent fire outbreaks.”
The Regional Commander said that aside such daunting challenges that affected their operational efficiency, the issue of accommodation for staff had also remained a major problem for the command.
“It will interest you to know that I am the only one who has been accommodated at the Sekondi Ridge,” Mr. Cobbina said adding that, his deputy and the remaining staff were renting apartments on their own.
He however said that despite the challenges, the command was still striving to be effective as possible.
He said that as part of its proactive initiative to reduce fire outbreaks, the command had embarked on an intensive five education programme in all districts in the region through radio discussions, down broadcast as well as regular visits to organizations to ensure that the best practices were adopted to prevent fire outbreaks.
The command, he said, had also trained and issued certificates to about 63 organizations in the region on fire prevention. Some of the organizations included GHACEM, West Africa Mills Company Limited (WAMCO) and Tarkwa Goldfields.
To enforce the fire Safety Regulation Mr. Cobbina said that four officers within the command had been trained in the art of prosecution at the Ghana Law School to prosecutor defaulting institutions and organizations.
Mr. Cobbina said that “these and many other measures have been devised in preparation to deal with challenges which many emerge from the oil find but government sought to do more to help us to succeed.
Popular stories from Security Services
