Fire personnel should not chase smugglers - Officer

Denu, Oct 22, GNA - Mr Hyde Thomas, Volta Regional Fire Officer, has warned Fire Service personnel stationed in communities along the borders to refrain from taking part in anti smuggling or immigration duties. He said the law establishing the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) gave it specific duties, which did not include patrolling the borders to track down smugglers.

Mr Thomas was addressing personnel of the Ketu District Fire Service as part of a tour of stations in the region.

He also cautioned them to refrain from stealing property of fire disaster victims since such acts tarnish the image of the Service. "Don't rescue people's treasures into your pockets - I know such things happen".

Mr Thomas asked personnel who could not change to resign honourably or be dismissed when caught in any unprofessional conduct.

He appealed to the District Assembly to rehabilitate the old District Assembly Block allocated to the Denu office of the GNFS. Mr Thomas said apart from the bad state of the block, the access road was poor and sandy, adding that, it was not the best for the heavy vehicles of the Service.