The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has reaffirmed its commitment to broadcasting its emergency rescue efforts during fire outbreaks and accidents, as part of its strategy to address negative public perceptions and build trust.
Speaking in an interview with Accra-based JoyNews, ADO1 Alex King Nartey, Public Relations Officer of the GNFS, acknowledged the challenges the Service faces in public opinion. He explained that increasing public involvement and transparency in their operations is key to correcting misconceptions. “Over the years, many people have had negative perceptions about the Fire Service. One strategy we are adopting is to involve the public more. Broadcasting what we do helps dispel speculations and misunderstandings,” Nartey said.
Nartey emphasized that showing the Service’s interventions via broadcasts serves as a public service announcement, helping citizens understand the vital role of the GNFS in accidents and fires. “There might be a fire or an accident, and people might draw their own conclusions. Broadcasting brings awareness to the situation and helps the public see what we do.”
He noted that the GNFS is often the first point of contact in accidents and emergencies, especially when lives are at stake. “In case of accidents, the Fire Service is the first to be called for rescue missions,” Nartey stated, stressing the importance of quick intervention.
Addressing recent backlash over graphic images of victims from a tragic car accident in East Legon that were shared with the public, Nartey issued an apology. “We apologise for the gory pictures. That was not our intention. We respect the dead and their families,” he said.
The accident, which involved a Jaguar SUV driven by 16-year-old Elrad Salifu Amoako and a 4×4 Acura, resulted in the deaths of two 12-year-old girls, Justine Agbenu and Maame Dwomoh. Following the accident, Elrad’s parents, Bishop Elisha Salifu Amoako and Mouha Amoako, were arrested and are assisting with the police investigation.
Nartey reiterated the GNFS’s role in such situations, emphasizing that while the police manage law and order, the GNFS is responsible for rescuing victims. “It’s our job to retrieve the bodies or rescue people and hand them over to the police,” he explained.
Despite the criticism, the GNFS intends to continue its broadcast approach, with Nartey highlighting the importance of swift public response. “The quicker you call us, the faster we can save lives,” he urged.
The GNFS aims to improve public understanding and trust through greater transparency in its rescue operations.
