GNFS trains volunteers and fuel station staff in KNWD ahead of yuletide
The District Fire Service Commander, Division Officer III (DOIII) Boniface Awiah, disclosed this while briefing members of the District Assembly at its Third Ordinary Meeting on December 19, noting that the festive season traditionally comes with an increased risk of fire incidents.
The Ghana National Fire Service in the Kassena-Nankana West District has intensified fire safety education and inspections as part of measures to prevent fire outbreaks during the Yuletide period, which spans from December into January.
The District Fire Service Commander, Division Officer III (DOIII) Boniface Awiah, disclosed this while briefing members of the District Assembly at its Third Ordinary Meeting on December 19, noting that the festive season traditionally comes with an increased risk of fire incidents.
“Fire safety this year, especially from December moving into January, in security settings we say the Yuletide period. So it is so important that we intensify fire safety education,” he said.
He added that the exercise forms part of an action plan aimed at covering all government agencies in the district before the end of the festive season.
Beyond institutional engagement, the Fire Service has also trained community fire volunteers to strengthen local response capacity in the event of outbreaks.
“In some sites, we were able not only to educate but to train fire volunteers in about five communities,” DOIII Awiah said.
He mentioned communities such as Piokwaga, Wekwoga-Songo, Dirinia, Abinia, as well as several suburbs in Paga including Kayilo, Kachono, Nakasem, Sakiu and Mangolo, where volunteers have been trained to support firefighting efforts.
DOIII Awiah further identified fueling stations and fuel tankers along major roads in Paga, as high-risk areas requiring special attention.
He expressed concern over the limited fire safety knowledge among some fuel attendants, citing instances where basic equipment was not even recognized.
“It was surprising to know that sometimes you get there and they don’t even know what a fire extinguisher is. I asked an attendant what it was, and the person said it was a cylinder,” he recounted.
He said the Fire Service has trained attendants at all the fuel stations in Paga and is making arrangements to cover the remaining Huss Petroleum and Sotei Energy.
He added that the service has also begun participating in a national operation to inspect fuel tankers and vehicles to ensure they are equipped with functional fire extinguishers.
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