Accra, Sept. 23, GNA - Members of the public who want to sell fire equipment should desist from feeding the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) with false information to receive their permit, Mr William Brown-Ocquaye, Chief Fire Officer (GNFS), has said. "I want the public to know that it is an offence to give false information to procure a fire certificate since such offences attract penalties such as summary conviction or imprisonment or both," he said. Mr Brown-Ocquaye, who was speaking during the inauguration of the Fire Protection Association of Ghana (FIPAG) on Wednesday, advised members to follow strictly laid-down procedures drawn by the Ghana Fire Service and maintain acceptable standards in the discharge of their duties.

"We envisage that very soon, FIPAG will enter the global market and compete with other well established organizations such as the National Fire Protection Associations of the United States and the British Fire Protection Systems Association Limited." FIPAG is an association made up of representatives of companies engaged in the importation, sales, installation, servicing or maintenance of fire fighting and prevention equipment as well as fire risk assessors. Mr Brown-Ocquaye urged the organisation to come out with its own code of ethics for the members in order to avoid flaws. They should also streamline their activities. The Fire Chief urged them not to concentrate on the sale of only fire extinguishers and their maintenance but also take up the challenge of designing and installing alarms and other fire prevention systems. Mr Alex Kofie, General Secretary of FIPAG, praised the GNFS for the remarkable role it played in the formation of the association 11 years ago.

"The GNFS has been very instrumental in the formation of this association. This has resulted in the formation of a seven-member committee comprising three service personnel and four service providers who are working to ensure sanity in the fire protection industry among FIPAG," he said.

Mr Kofie expressed concern the high rate of fire outbreaks and the resultant loss of property and archival materials and called on all to help the FIPAG and the GNFS fight the scourge. He praised the government for its effort in equipping the GNFS and called for the full implementation of all regulations governing fire prevention. Deputy Chief Fire Officer William Mensah, Director of Safety, GNFS, appealed to FIPAG members to desist from the importation of inferior goods which were sometimes cited as one of the major causes of fire outbreaks. They should also liaise with the Fire Service on sensitizing the public on fire prevention.