SPECIAL REPORT ON THE OCCASION OF FIREFIGHTER’S DAY
The Oti Regional Fire Command celebrated their Firefighters’ Day at the Oti Regional Fire Command Dambai, on Friday May 3, 2024
The President’s Representative for the Oti Region, Daniel Machator, has charged the personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service to be professional and discipline in the discharge of mandate as well as live beyond reproach in the region. Read More
Speaking through the acting Oti Regional Coordinating Director, Rev. Harry Nii Kwatei Owoo to commemorate this year’s firefighter’s day at Dambai in the Oti region, he said government is doing everything possible to ensure that fire stations at the sub-regional level are fit for purpose and well resourced.
He urged the Municipals and Districts Fire Officers to collaborate well with their various Municipal and District Assemblies in order to achieve their main goal in line with their duty.
“As Officers of the Ghana National Fire Service, you are wearing the badge of a very noble profession and for that matter your conduct at your various stations should be beyond reproach. You should live like models and mentors to bring respect to your profession,” he urged.
The firefighters, he said though continue to serve with valour but there is the need for others to carry on the legacy of those who have fallen and face the same dangers.
To Rev. Owoo, firefighting is not just a job but a calling and demands courage, selflessness, as well as an unwavering commitment to serve public interest.
Condoling with the family of the victims, Rev Owoo extended government’s sympathies to the bereaved families. “Your loss is immeasurable, and no words can truly ease the pain of your bereavement. But please know that your loved ones’ legacy will forever be etched in the heart of Dambai, Oti and the entire nation.”
He expressed over the statistics that suggest that more than 1,000 firefighters lose their lives every year nationwide in line of duty as a result of the inhalation of toxic and poisonous gases during firefighting. “We are therefore gathered here to pay tribute to the brave firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, protecting our communities and our lives in Oti,” he noted.
The Minister-designate underscored the need for all stakeholders to pledge to support firefighters in the region and the entire country at large in order to remember the sacrifices made, and to work together to ensure the safety of our community.
For his part, the Oti Regional Fire Officer, ACFOI Prince B. Anaglate, noted that Fire Service is the only agency with the expertise and technical know-how to ensure total risk management and property conservation for national development.
This, he continued that firefighter has additional responsibility to protect the public in all forms of emergency situations that involves hazardous materials.
“This is an increasing complex area of responsibility and it has been expanded even further to place firefighters on the front line of home land defence, facing whole new real and potential threats,” he said.
According to him, the role of firefighters can never be overestimated hence their responsibility as the nation’s first responders to a wider range of emergencies that extend far beyond the traditional role of firefighting.
To him, there is a possibility that terrorist could use chemicals, biological or nuclear materials as weapons to cause mayhem in the country and it is the firefighters that has the capacity and the skills to reduce the impact or avert entirely the fire.
