Engage professionals when constructing houses — Chief Fire Officer

The Chief Fire Officer, Albert Brown Gaisie, has inaugurated a new fire station at Breman, near Kumasi, with a call on Ghanaians to engage the services of professionals when they are constructing their houses.

He also cautioned against the use of unapproved security methods such as the use of burglar-proof metal gates and windows in houses, since these made it difficult for fire personnel to access and evacuate trapped persons during fire outbreaks.

Project

The approximately GH¢234,000 project was constructed by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) through the Urban Development Grant (UDG), a World Bank financial support which aims at strengthening the capacity of the metropolitan and municipal assemblies in service delivery.

The inauguration of the station brings the number of fully equipped fire stations inaugurated in the country in the first quarter of this year to 17.

Population growth

Mr Gaisie said the increase in population came with potential risks and hazards, hence the government's commitment to  put in place strategic measures to fight fires.

He also advised property owners to acquire fire safety equipment such as extinguishers, and indicated that firefighting was a shared responsibility. He, therefore, called for public-private partnership (PPP) to address the growing menace of fire outbreaks in the country.

Fire outbreaks

The Chief Executive Officer of the KMA, Mr Kojo Bonsu, described the recent fire outbreaks at the Kumasi Central Market, Suame Magazine, the Kumasi High Court and other places as worrying and expressed the hope that the station would serve the surrounding communities, including Suame Magazine, which is an industrial hub.

Commendation

The Bremanhene, Nana Baffuor Kotei Kutin Sraman II, commended the government for responding to the needs of the people and gave an assurance that he would personally see to it that the facility was put to good use.