FIRE SERVICE TO GET FIRE ENGINES (PAGE 54, JULY 31, 2010)

THE Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) is expected to be equipped with 300 fire engines by the end of the year.
Currently, Parliament is considering an Exim Bank loan agreement for 75 of the fire engines, five water tankers and other equipment for the service.
The others would be supplied under agreements with the United States, Austria and Belgium.
Tenders have also been invited for the supply of between 55 and 60 Pick-up vehicles for the service.
The Chairman of the GNFS Council, Alhaji Amadu B. Sorogho, made these known during an interaction with personnel of the service in the Central Region in Cape Coast.
Alhaji Sorogho said since the 11-member council took office, it had been working hard to provide the necessary logistics for the effective operations of the service.
He said the provision of fire stations and accommodation for staff were also being considered.
He said plans were being considered to place personnel of the service on peace-keeping operations and tasked the personnel to maintain discipline and commitment to uplift the image of the service.
Alhaji Sorogho said efforts were also being made to upgrade staff through training and promotions to raise their morale.
He urged the officers to revive fire volunteer groups, cadet corps in schools and the establishment of fire posts at the markets to complement the efforts of fire personnel.
The Central Regional Commander, Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) Kwesi Ankonam Quayson, said the challenges facing the service were office and residential accommodation, vehicles, office equipment and manpower.
ACFO Quayson said despite the challenges, the personnel in the region would engage the private sector in mutually beneficial partnership to prevent and manage undesired fires.
Earlier, Mr Sorogho had commended the Gouda Municipality in The Netherlands for equipping and training the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Municipal Fire Service.