Cape Coast, April 1, GNA - The Central Regional Fire Officer, Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) Kwesi Ankonam Quayson on Thursday identified the lack of prompt communication by victims of fire disasters as the major challenge hindering immediate response to such emergencies.

He said things could get out of control after the first three minutes of a fire outbreak hence the need for victims to report signs of such incidence within the shortest possible time, to enable fire officers respond promptly. ACFO Ankonam Quayson made this known on Thursday when he launched the 5th anniversary of the Fire Service Ladies Association (FISLA) in Cape Coast.

He noted that 93a happy home is a fire safe home". The Fire Officer said the Service was embarking on massive public education campaign on fire safety measures while fire safety inspection on office premises had started in earnest to alert organisations on the need to acquire the requisite fire extinguishers. He therefore urged the public to play their part in assisting the Service to prevent fire out breaks, giving the assurance that his outfit would ensure that rules and regulations were enforced. Deputy Fire Officer II Ms Sophia Baidoo, Regional President of FISLA said the main objective of the association was to help educate the pubic to ensure safety as well as enhance the welfare of women. She said since its formation in 2006, FISLA had mounted a number of educational campaigns to check fire outbreaks in the Region, attributing the reduction in domestic fire out breaks to intensive education on safety measures. Ms Baidoo appealed to organisations and individuals to assist the Association financially to enable it to carry out its outreach programmes to educate the public on fire prevention.