Sunyani, March 2, GNA - The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) is to be designated as Ghana National Fire and Rescue Service. The new mandate of the service will offer it the platform to operate fire and ambulance services.

Divisional Officer Grade One (DOI) Apraku Larbi, Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Fire Service Officer, made this known during an extrication simulation competition exercise of the service in Sunyani on Tuesday. The exercise was meant to improve upon the response of the personnel in the performance of their core functions such as the saving of lives and property during emergencies.

DOI Larbi asked the public to dial 192 or 193 for fire and ambulance services during accidents to ensure rapid response of personnel for extrication.

He called on stak eholders in the transport industry to intensify their efforts in ensuring drastic reduction of road fatalities before, during and after the Easter festivities. He appealed to the government, corporate entities and the general public to assist in diverse ways to provide the GNFS with the requisite logistics.

This, he noted, would go a long way to promote and foster effective and efficient service delivery to all Ghanaians. At the end of the competition team 'B' led by Francis Tetteh, Techiman Station Officer scored 162 marks in the technical, medical and command and control category whilst team 'A' led by Amos Quarter, Berekum Station Officer scored 161 marks.

Team 'B" will therefore represent the region at the national level competition scheduled to take place from April 21 to April 23. The winner of the national competition will represent Ghana at the world stage.

The extrication and simulation competition is an annual event where fire fighters across the globe come together to exhibit their practical skills on rescue operation.

This year's event on the theme: "World Rescue Challenge Cup," will take place in Ireland in September, where Ghana and South Africa have qualified to represent the Africa. 2 March 10