We can get sick; we are not machines – Chief Fire Officer

Chief Fire Officer Dr. Albert Brown Gaisie has lambasted persons who criticized him and called him names after he took ill for a short while.

Speaking to media personnel at the Fire Service Headquarters, he stated that every human is prone to sickness at one point or the other once the body is constantly working, it is therefore unfair for anyone to tag him unfit or incapacitated for the mere reason that his health failed him at a point.

Using President Buhari’s recent ailment as an instance, he said, “In recent times, I think some of you are aware, that there were speculations that the Chief Officer was sick and incapacitated. If President Buhari in Nigeria can get sick and go for treatment for two months, who am I, a chief officer who cannot get sick and all of you seated here, as human as you are, you can get sick once we are not machines”.

He maintained that he developed a lower back pain during a week’s tour in the Northern Region where he commissioned 12 fire stations, adding that it was unfortunate that persons will linger on his predicament to harass and chide him.

Speaking on the role of the fire officer in securing and protecting lives, Dr. Brown Gaisie said that the service is widening its scope to ensure that the lives of Ghanaians are safeguarded irrespective of any other factor. This he said is every fireman’s utmost priority.

He further encouraged the media to probe such issues before disseminating information that tarnishes the reputation of people especially in the service urging them to be unbiased in presenting facts, praising persons who deserve it and criticizing persons when necessary.

“I believe you should also give praise when due, when I had my award and I was voted as the best fire chief in Africa, some people didn’t talk about it, but when I got sick, it was news….please we are for you and you are for us, anytime you need clarification, please get in touch, he told them.