'INCLUDE FIRE HYDRANTS IN SITE PLANS' (PAGE 44)

Story: Rose Hayford Darko, Tema

THE Tema Regional Fire Training Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Mr Prince Billy Anaglate, has advocated the inclusion of fire hydrants in the preparation of all site plans to ensure safety of lives and property in residential areas.
He said because of the cost involved, that important component was left out when developers zoned out their areas and built without making provision for it.
Mr Anaglate was of the view that the practice could be the result of ignorance or mere neglect but noted that it was necessary that hydrants were included at the planning stage of settlements to enable the Fire Service to fight fire in times of its outbreak.
He made the observation when a team of fire men went round the Tema business centre and some communities to locate and service fire hydrants. Many of the hydrants had been covered by silt and the team had some difficulty locating them.
Mr Anaglate said about 80 per cent of fire hydrants had either become ineffective or been sealed in the metropolis, making fire fighting difficult for the service. He said the Tema Office of the GNFS had only one fire engine, which could not fight fire continuously for one hour. Therefore easy access to hydrants was very essential for fire fighting.
The team opened some of the hydrants and made them serviceable, while others could not be opened at all because of rust.
He appealed to all stakeholders in the provision and servicing of hydrants to help the Fire Service to secure life and property. He also advised residents to avoid activities which could lead to fire outbreaks, citing the example of a gas welder found on the Ashaiman Overhead road working close to a LPG cylinder repairer.
He said the danger was high because PG cylinder should be emptied before they were repaired, because the welder constantly used fire, noting that there could easily be an explosion.
Mr Anaglate advised the owner of the repair shop to stop work and relocate for the safety of lives and property.
The Tema Regional Estate Officer of the Ghana Water Company Limited, Mr Abednego Anfu, said the situation would be addressed promptly.
He noted that almost all the hydrants that had been retrieved during the exercise had not had water running through them for many years and, therefore, posed danger to the community.