International Firefighters Day Observed in Fijai

By Clement Adzei Boye

Fijai — The Western Regional Fire Command on Friday, marked the International FireFighters' Day here with an exhibition and prayer session to seek God's guidance and direction to deliver on their mandate.

The solemn event which was led by Rev Fr Divisional Officer (DO II) Michael Nunoo, was also held in honour of fallen heroes. The fireman prayed that God should enable them to be "alert, hear the weakest shout and quickly and efficiently put out fire".

While the bugler played the 'abide with me' tunes to sound the last post, the Acting Western Regional Fire Commander, Divisional Officer (DO) I Veronica Koney, laid a remembrance coin at the cenotaph.

At exactly 12p.m. the sirens from the fire engines blared in remembrance of the fallen heroes including DO I Emmanuel Seddoh, Assistant Divisional Officer (ADO) Stephen Appiah, Group Officer I Hannah Yawson and Sub Officer Adjei Newton.

Officers, who suffered injuries in the discharge of their duties especially the seven firefighters who attended the May 9 2017 fire and gas explosion at the Ghana Household Manufacturing Company (GHUMCO) in Takoradi were also remembered.

In her address, DO I Veronica Koney noted that the International Firefighters' Day founded by Lt J.J. Edmondson, on May 4, 1999,recognised the sacrifices firefighters had made to ensure that their communities and environment were safe and also thank the current officers for their contribution to safety worldwide.

The Acting Regional Fire Commander urged the public to continue to show their supports to worldwide firefighting communities who protect lives and properties despite the numerous challenges they encountered, adding, "You can do this by proudly wearing the red and blue ribbons - the colours symbolising fire and water and also representing emergency services."

DO I Koney, who is also the Second-In-Command, reported that the region recorded 415 fire outbreaks from January to December 2017, but, this reduced in 2018 to 347, representing a reduction of 16 per cent and mentioned that, the public education campaigns were yielding good results.

She appealed to the government to continue to provide the service with extrication tools, personal protective equipment, dual purposes firetenders and turntables to enable them to perform its duties in the region.

DO I Koney reiterated the commitment and sacrifice of the service to serve humanity, stressing that, "We fight together one common enemy, no matter what country, what uniform or language we speak."

Later, personnel of the Fire Command took some guests including students through some demonstrations on the operations of the equipment.

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