Regional News of Saturday, 5 February 2005

Source: GNA

GNFS asked to educate communities on town layouts

Koforidua, Feb. 5, GNA - Chairman of the Fire Service Council, Lt-Col Alex K. L. Ayeh, has called on officers of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to continuously educate local authorities and individual developers to observe layouts in the communities in order to promote effective fire fighting.

He noted that the observance of layouts and protection of water hydrant locations would facilitate fire fighting to save life and property.

Lt-Col Ayeh, who was speaking at the annual end-of-year get-together of the officers and men of the GNFS at Koforidua on Friday, said manpower development of the service was receiving serious attention of the Council, adding that the achievement of that objective would make the Service meet its obligations.

He condemned the tendency of some firemen to resort to the writing of anonymous letters to personalities outside the Service or the media to express their grievances.

Lt-Col Ayeh assured them that the Council was evolving policies to improve their working conditions, including a housing scheme. The Chief Fire Officer, Mr Emmanuel Atengah, also deplored the disregard for established channel of communication in the service by some personnel and reiterated that aggrieved officers should always ensure they use the appropriate procedures to seek redress. He noted that the Service was not able to achieve some of its goals due to the negative attitude of some personnel and called for a change to promote the progress of the Service.