Mr Edwin Ekow Blankson, Chief Fire Officer has cautioned fire officers against going to herbalists for treatment of burns.

He said the practice was against government policy and asked the personnel to desist from patronizing such services.

Mr Blankson said this when he met fire officers from Volta and Oti regions in Ho during a working tour of the regions.

He said apart from issues of quality of service, personnel who received treatment from herbalists may not have required receipts by certified medical doctors for reimbursement.

The Chief Fire Officer who was accompanied by members of the Fire Service Council said government was concerned about the welfare of fire officers and ready to pay all bills with receipts from recognised health facilities.

Mr Blankson told the GNA that the Service recorded about 50 work-related burns in a year, with about 10 of the cases being "serious" burns.

He said plans were therefore in place for the establishment of burns hospital at Tema and to get modern safety equipment to reduce work-related injuries.

Mr Blankson said the Service was also working towards procuring operational equipment including; water tankers and specialised duty trucks and called for support from all.

He said the Service was also in talks with the University of Cape Coast to introduce courses in fire engineering and challenged the officers to take advantage of the opportunity to build their capacities.

Mr Rudolph Kuuzegh, a member of the Fire Service Council, on behalf of the Council described the Volta Regional Command as the most disciplined in the country and asked the personnel to help to rebrand the Service to world class standard.

He reassured the personnel of commitment of government to address their welfare issues, especially promotion.

Madam Janet Duah, Volta Regional Fire Officer said the region recorded a massive decline in fire incidence due to house-to-house fire safety education.

She said only 86 fire disasters were recorded from January 2018 to May 2019 as against 127 for the same period in 2017/2018 and promised further reduction by end of the year 2019.

Alhaji Richard Nuhu Gibril, Oti Regional Fire Officer said the Command was opening new district offices and engaging in public fire safety campaigns and called for support.