The Ghana National Fire Service has urged the media to increase public awareness about the service's role in saving lives and property.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO1) Frederick Ohemeng, Western Regional Commander, argued that service members had made sacrifices and deserved the public's full support.
He made the announcement at the Regional Command in Fijai, near Sekondi, during the fourth International Fire Fighters Day event.
Assistant Divisional Officer (ADO)11 Reverend Andzie Quaicoo and ADO11 Musah Alhassan led the personnel in prayer for the Chief Fire Officer, fallen firefighters, and Ghana Household Manufacturing Company (GHUMCO) firefighters who died in a gas explosion in Takoradi a few years ago. In honor of the brave combatants, ACFO Ohemeng joined other officers to place memorial coins at the cenotaph.
In thanks for their support and principles, he asked the media to publicize the personnel's immense efforts.
Condemning a number of mob attacks on firemen, he said they must be avoided, adding that "it would just take education, awareness development, and information in the public domain to put a stop to it."
He recalled that firefighters in the Region had fought fires and explosions at GHUMCO in Takoradi, Appiatse in the Prestea-Huni Valley Municipality, and Asemase in the Shama District. "Our efforts appeared to be less appreciated in this area of the globe, with attacks and even property destruction, but we will never be disheartened because "no one has greater love than this: that we lay our life of such people in times of crisis," the Fire Commander stated.
"We don't deserve hooting, insults, or other abuses," he said, "but we do deserve social support, respect, and, most importantly, acknowledgement for the crucial roles we play in society." ",
He stated that the Command will continue to devote their life to communities in various ways in order to accomplish the overarching goal of protecting lives and property. The International Fire Fighters Day, which was previously observed on January 4, was moved to May 4 to honor Saint Florian, the patron saint of firefighters in the Roman Empire, who died in the line of duty in 300AD.
The efforts of five brave firemen in Victoria, Australia, who sadly perished while fighting a bush fire on December 2, 1988, inspired the day.