Change gas cylinder seals frequently to avoid leakage — GNFS

Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFOI) Doris Lamptey of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has advised domestic Gas users to change the cylinder seal frequently to avoid gas leakages and also disconnect the cylinder from the burner when not in use to avoid fire outbreaks.

ACFOI Lamptey who is the GNFS Tema Regional Commander said investigations conducted by the service identified gas cylinder seal leakage as one of the triggers of the domestic fires.

She, therefore, advised users to regularly change the seal, anytime you fill your gas cylinder, change the seal, while urging gas station attendants to educate their customers about the need to change the seal, “we must always play the safety card, stay safe and remain safe at all times”.

Addressing officers and other ranks of the GNFS Tema Regional Command during the 2022 International Firefighters Day commemoration which was characterized by a parade and display of fire gadgets in Tema, ACFOI Lamptey commended the troops for their resilience over the years.

The 2022 International Firefighters Day is on the theme: “Valuing the collective sacrifice of a firefighter, Our departed heroes, Our true pride,” monitored by the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) in Tema.

International Firefighters Day was created in 1999 after five firefighters died tragically during a wildfire in Australia when the direction of the wind changed suddenly and engulfed them in flames.

It is celebrated on May 4th because that is Saint Florian’s day, and Saint Florian, who was said to be one of the first commanding firefighters of an actual Roman battalion and saved many lives, is the patron saint of firefighters.

ACFOI Lamptey recounted the immense contributions and selfless sacrifices made by fire personnel all over the world, stressing that “saving lives and properties from ravages of fire is a high-risk venture”.

She as part of the commemoration fire education team has deployed in the communities, churches, schools, mosques, various households, and industries to educate the public on the need to prevent fire.

ACFOI Lamptey explained that the fire education team would also enter the slums, ghettos, and other localities to sensitize them, “no one would be left out in the fire education, as sometimes fire outbreak cases emanate from the slums within the region”.

She also used the occasion to celebrate the local firefighters for dedication to duty as the protection of lives and properties at the risk of losing their lives; “the firefighting work involves combating, extinguishing, and preventing fires, responding to render emergency medical services, and responding to and mitigating other emergencies.

“The operation and maintenance of fire department equipment, apparatus, and quarters is an enormous task to undertake for which we commend our personnel”.

ACFOI Lamptey urged all not to only turn off electrical gadgets when not in use but also unplug them from the sockets since current still flows within them.

As part of the commemoration, the GNFS personnel decorated their uniforms with a blue and red ribbon on their chest which signified that blue was the water used in the fighting fire which was noted as red.

A wreath-laying ceremony was held to pay respect to the departed souls in the GNFS who lost their lives in their duty of work.

Thereafter, emergency sirens were blown and water was showered for some minutes to pay homage to the departed souls.