By Comfort Sena Fetrie-Akagbor
Tema, Dec. 31, GNA – Organisations and institutions have been advised to ensure the availability of functional fire extinguishers at their workplaces, to enable prompt response to fire outbreaks.
Divisional Officer II (DOII) Ebenezer Yenzu, the Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Tema Region, said it was equally important for employees to be properly trained in the use of fire extinguishers as part of a comprehensive emergency action plan.
DOII Yenzu explained that such training should be a specialised form of education delivered by fire service professionals, focusing on developing and improving practical skills, and must be conducted annually as well as when employees are newly assigned emergency response duties.
He gave the advice in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), stating that employers had a responsibility to engage qualified fire safety experts to educate staff on the principles and proper use of fire extinguishers, as well as the potential hazards involved in attempting to control small or developing fires at the workplace.
He outlined key steps to follow when responding to an initial-stage fire, including sounding the fire alarm and immediately notifying the Fire Service.
“Employees must first identify a safe evacuation route before approaching the fire and ensure that fire, heat or smoke does not cut off their escape path,” he cautioned.
DOII Yenzu further advised workers to select the appropriate type of fire extinguisher and operate it within its effective range using the P.A.S.S. (Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep) technique.
He added that individuals should back away cautiously after extinguishing a fire, as it could reignite.
He advised that if the extinguisher became empty and the fire was not fully out, or if the fire grew beyond the incipient stage, evacuate immediately and call the Fire Service emergency lines 192 or 112.
GNA
30 Dec. 2025
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/ Christabel Addo