The Accra Region have recorded 741 cases of fire outbreaks from January to October this year as compared to 822 cases recorded during the same period last year.

This represents a 10 per cent reduction in the number of fire outbreaks in the region.

The Accra Regional Fire Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO), AlhajiNuhuGibril, said this at the closing ceremony of the first phase of the capacity training programme for personnel in Accra on Thursday.

He noted that despite the reduction, the GNFS was not going to relent in its efforts to manage and prevent fire outbreaks in the region ensure that the number decreased totally.

ACFO Gibril said that the Service had the mandate to ensure fire safety for which reason the six-week mobile capacity building and training was rolled out for personnel of the Service in 20 fire stations in the region.

He noted that in certifying good delivery of service, the personnel of the GNFS were needed to be trained in order to enhance their efficiency, effectiveness, professionalism and discipline.

“Our mandate is to ensure fire safety, it is therefore necessary to ensure that our human resource base is well equipped,” he said, adding that “when that is ensured valued service will be offered.”

The Regional Commander indicated that the mobile training programme which took place from September 27 and ended on November 4, was done under three modules which included Communication, Legislative Instruments (LI) and Command and Control.

On Command and Control, he stressed that personnel were enlightened on the response to emergencies, the hierarchical system and the mode of administration in the Service.

“The command and control was to enlighten and refresh their minds on how to go about things systematically in order to deliver as professionals,” he said.

“Things are not done anyhow, so if there’s an instruction, it will come from a higher level to another level and it will follow suite to the last person and that will ensure that things are done in a well-planned manner,” he added.

ACFO Gibrilsaid with regards to the communication module it was pivotal in their delivery of service as it served as the primary tool for relaying information.

“Communication plays a vital role in every sphere of the world. When communication is not properly done it can create a problem,” he stressed.

“It’s also a way of refreshing their minds on the effectiveness of communication so that they will be abreast with the communication trends in modern times and educate in a way that will enable the general public adhere to fire safety measures,” he added.

Pertaining the LI, the Accra Regional Commander highlighted that the GNFS had rules and regulations that directed the affairs of the Service and its personnel and that was to be abided by the personnel, hence the training.

ACFO Gibril therefore urged personnel of the GNFS to make good use of the capacity and training programme in order to expedite the delivery of valued service to the society.

He used the opportunity to caution the general populace to be circumspect in their activities as the Christmas festivities and the dry season drew near.

ACFO Gibril asked that people heeded to the education given by the service on fire prevention and management in order to avert any fire outbreak.