The GNFS is not resourced enough to perform its firefighting duties – Wa Central MP

MP hands over 11 mattresses

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Wa Central Constituency, Hon Dr Hassan Rashid Pelpuo has observed that the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) is not well-resourced enough to carry out its expected firefighting mandate.

He said the public expectations of the GNFS far outweigh the resource empowerment given to the service, saying that "less is given for a contrasted much expectation".

Dr Hassan said this when he visited the Wa Municipal Fire Service to donate some mattresses to the fire command over the weekend.

He reckoned that the fire service's role is very critical to the safety of the people of the constituency as a specialized firefighting institution.

“Their work is essential. If a fire breaks out in Wa, they would be the people we rely on to dowse the fire,” Dr Hassan said, stating that he was in talks with the Fire Command to identify some other support area that would enhance their work.

The Wa Central legislator donated 11 high-density student mattresses worth GHS4500 to the fire command on Saturday, December 31, 2022.

Dr Hassan noted that the donation follows a request by the fire command made to him to help replace worn-out mattresses that were currently being used by personnel of the fire service who stay overnight to attend to firefighting duties.

State of mattresses being used

He added that given the critical role of the service, he deemed it a duty to mobilize resources to meet the request.

(ADO I) Iddrisu Imran, the Second in Command (2IC) of the Municipal Fire Service and deputy Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Regional Fire Command, applauded the MP for attending to the deep-felt request of the fire command.

He gave assurance that the items would be put to good use and proper care to serve the intended purpose.

The Fire 2IC, however, appealed for support in the area of transportation to enhance the service’s public education and sensitization activities in the Wa Municipality.

He further called on the general public to adhere to safety instructions given by the fire service in order to stay safe from undesired fire disasters.