GNFS blames poor emergency reporting for delays in flood rescue operations

The Service said many residents affected by flooding fail to use its official emergency numbers, opting instead to post distress messages on social media or call incorrect telephone numbers, making it difficult for rescue teams to respond promptly.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, June 29, 2026, Assistant Divisional Officer Alex King Nartey said the lack of proper communication during emergencies continues to undermine response efforts.

“Unfortunately, people do not keep our emergency numbers in their minds or at hand and only call the fire service when there's an emergency, and they end up calling the wrong numbers,” he said.

Mr. Nartey also criticised the growing tendency of some residents to rely on Facebook Live videos and other social media platforms to seek help instead of contacting emergency services directly.

“Again, we find a lot of these people also doing Facebook video, 'fire service, we need you, we need you.' We can't see such a video and respond because we would have to know the exact place,” he said.

He explained that emergency responders require precise location details before assistance can be dispatched, noting that vague descriptions often delay rescue operations.

Recalling a recent incident, Mr. Nartey said firefighters struggled to locate a caller because she could not clearly describe where she was.

“I think I was on a call with another station, and they put one lady on the line and we were asking her for the exact location and she was like, it's near a Big Gutter. How do we get to the Big Gutter?” he recounted.

He stressed that relying on informal landmarks or unclear directions significantly slows emergency response, particularly during flood situations where every minute is critical.

His comments come as heavy rains continue to cause flooding across several parts of Accra, disrupting movement, inundating communities, and increasing the demand for emergency rescue services.

Mr. Nartey urged the public to keep the Ghana National Fire Service's emergency contact numbers readily available and to provide accurate location details whenever they call for assistance, stressing that timely and precise information is essential for effective emergency response.