The Head of Public Relations of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), DO II Desmond Ackah, has urged authorities to punish citizens who unlawfully block roads for social events.

This, he said, makes it difficult to access routes in line of duty.

In an interview with GhanaWeb, he disclosed that citizens are supposed to take permission from their various district and municipal assemblies, who will in turn inform the GNFS to enable it plan for alternative routes in case of emergencies.

He added that the various assemblies must also deem it necessary to inform them before granting permits to block roads for social events.

Desmond Ackah also indicated that the GNFS management is trying to put up a hospital at Tema to cater for their members' health, while they wait for the government to fulfil its promises to build a national one for them.

He added that they have called on the government to set up a dedicated insurance package for members to access monies for healthcare associated with accidents in line of duty.

He hoped that in the future, each region will have a hospital to cater to occupational hazards for firefighters in the line of duty.

"Meanwhile, we don’t have all the relevant personal protection equipment (PPE) for fire fighting. Most of the fire tenders available to us are not in good shape according to the standard operation requirements," he stressed.

He urged the government to furnish them with ambulances, airlifters, drones, rescue vans, and rapid intervention vehicles, among others, to make their work easier.

Desmond Ackah further advised the public to desist from prank calls since it affects those who genuinely need it.

He indicated that it is heartbreaking to know that the culprits of prank calls are adults who are supposed to know right from wrong.

He further asked the public to give exact directions with the nearest landmarks for rapid responses.

MRA/AE

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