Tema Fire Service Launches Rescue Patrol Unit

The Tema Regional branch of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has set up a Road Traffic Accident Rapid Response Unit to patrol the Accra-Tema Motorway to give prompt attention to accident victims.

By this innovation, the Tema regional office will patrol the Motorway from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily to ensure rapid and effective rescue of accident victims.

Speaking to the media in Tema on Christmas Eve when the fully equipped vehicle was launched, the Regional Commander, Mr Gilford Tetteh Adams, said the station lacked adequate equipment and, therefore, felt certain decisions needed to be taken to salvage the situation.

Mr Adams said the pick-up for the Road Traffic Accident Rapid Response Unit was equipped with a spine board, cutting equipment, spreaders, distinct headlights and hydraulic equipment for professional extrication of accident victims, all at a cost of over GH¢5,000 from its internally generated funds.

He said for effective performance while handling accident victims, the Tema regional office re-trained 38 of its personnel for the two units.

Mr Adams explained that many accident victims died because of unprofessional handling and appealed to the Tema Metropolitan Assembly and other organisations to assist the office by providing a vehicle to be used as ambulance to quicken the pace of the rescue exercise.

Mr Adams advised drivers to be mindful of the bumpy nature of the Motorway and drive with care because most recent accidents were caused by the rough and bumpy surface.

Men from the newly launched unit staged an extrication exercise, during which they handled accident victims using the spine board and the hydraulic equipment. Share Your Thoughts on this article Name Email Location Comments Graphic Ghana may edit your comments and not all comments will be published