Low Fire Outbreaks Recorded In Ashanti Region

Fire incidents have dropped by 40 percent in the Ashanti Region, between January and September of this year, compared to 2016.

Casualty rates over the same period reduced from 41 to 14 over the same period.

Fire officials attribute the development to increased public education and proactive measures targeted, especially, at homes and the public support which the command enjoys.

From 1, 130 in the first nine months of last year, fire outbreaks have reached 684 over the same period this year.

Wild or bushfire came down from 346 in 2016 to 63 in 2017 while domestic outbreaks declined from 351 to 302, with commercial fires recording 97 from 150.

The Regional Fire Command says it is targeting 60 per cent reduction by the end of the year.

Photo: DCFO Semekor Kwaku Fiadzo, Ashanti Regional Fire Commander

Regional Commander, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Semekor Kwaku Fiadzo tells Nhyira FM public attitude towards fire is gradually changing for the better in the region.

According to him, more people are patronising quality electrical wires against fake ones whilst the services of professional electricians are being sought to wire shops and homes.

"We set up an agenda to undergo a vigorous fire educational campaign and also do some innovations. For instance, we do sensitisation program by distributing flyers which contain every bit of information you need to know about fire.

"And we also chose particular days like for instance Saturdays where we know most people are in their homes so that is where we start to do door-to-door, house-to-house and then the dawn broadcast," the Regional Commander said.

Meanwhile, the service is asking for more public support to carry out its mandate.

DCFO Fiadzo says the command is strategizing to meet its target before the year ends.

"Forty per cent as of now is not too bad but we are determined to hit the 60% mark so it means we have to embark on more educational campaigns.

"We are going to roll out so many strategies which in the coming days... I think we can get to that target that we've set for ourselves," he emphasised.