Government Officials Must Support, Not Undermine, Firefighters’ Efforts - Kwabena Frimpong School Frank Amoakohene

As an Occupational Safety, Health, and Environmental Management expert, I strongly support Alex King Nartey’s position regarding the Ashanti Regional Minister, Frank Amoakohene’s reaction to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) personnel. His criticism highlights a fundamental issue in emergency response management—interference with standard operating procedures (SOPs) by non-technical individuals can compromise safety, efficiency, and morale.

Importance of SOPs in Firefighting
Firefighting is a highly coordinated and technical operation that follows strict SOPs to ensure the safety of responders, the public, and property. As explained by Alex King Nartey, the practice of leaving a fire tender at the scene, even if empty, serves a critical logistical purpose: any incoming water can be directly transferred into it for immediate use. This procedural standard exists to enhance efficiency, prevent delays, and maintain control over the fire scene.

The Minister’s directive to remove the empty tender, therefore, was not only misinformed but also counterproductive. It disregarded the structured approach designed by firefighting professionals, potentially leading to operational setbacks. Such interference, if normalized, could disrupt emergency response effectiveness in the future.

Impact on Firefighter Morale and Public Perception

Firefighters operate in high-risk conditions, often with limited resources, to protect lives and property. Government officials must provide support and motivation rather than engaging in public confrontations that undermine their efforts. By publicly reprimanding the firefighters, the social media Minister inadvertently discouraged the very individuals tasked with ensuring public safety.

Demoralizing emergency responders can have severe consequences, including:

1. Reduced Operational Efficiency – Firefighters may hesitate or second-guess decisions under pressure due to fear of public or political backlash.
2. Lowered Morale – A workforce that feels unappreciated is less motivated to go above and beyond in critical situations.
3. Public Distrust in Emergency Services – When government officials publicly question emergency protocols, it can erode public confidence in those services.

A Call for Professionalism and Policy Adherence

Political and administrative leaders should recognize the importance of deferring to technical experts in specialized fields. Instead of shouting at the fire personnel, the Minister could have engaged with the commanding officer on-site to seek clarification and understand the necessity of keeping the fire tender at the scene.

Moving forward, policymakers and government officials should undergo basic emergency response training or orientation sessions to familiarize themselves with best practices in crisis management. This would help avoid unnecessary confrontations and foster better collaboration between political leadership and technical professionals.

Alex King Nartey’s position is both valid and necessary. It emphasizes the importance of adhering to well-established emergency response protocols, protecting the morale of emergency responders, and ensuring that government officials engage with technical experts before making public pronouncements. Occupational safety and emergency management require discipline, coordination, and respect for professional guidelines—principles that should not be compromised due to political or emotional reactions or social media content creation.

Thus, I stand firmly with Alex King Nartey in advocating for professionalism, respect for SOPs, and better collaboration between leadership and emergency response teams so as such the Ashanti regional minister must apologize to the staff of GNFS.

Kwabena Frimpong (Msc, Occupational Safety, Health and Environmental Management)