The Asankrangwa Fire Station emerged overall best in the 2022 maiden drill, quiz and brave heart challenge (2022) held at the Western Regional Fire Command, Fijai, in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis on Friday.
Asankrangwa Fire Station scored 160.6 points to receive a trophy, plaque, medal and certificate donated by Mr Thomas Bismark Boakye of Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA).
The Regional Headquarters placed second with 158 points, Nkroful Fire Station took third place with 151 points, and Shama Fire Station, gathering 123 points, placed fourth. Each received a medal and certificate.
The brave heart challenge was won by Fireman Sylvester Cudjoe from Apremdo, and leading fireman, Peter Taylor (Sekondi Metro Fire), was second, Fireman Joel Boah Annor, Elubo, was third, while Recruit Fireman, Charles Sam of Axim placed fourth.
The Regional Fire Commander, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Grade One (ACFO1), Frederick Ohemeng, received an ambassadorial award for his hard work in public safety.
Assistant Divisional Officer II, Felix Nana Amonoo, Physical Education Instructor and Road Safety Ambassador and Divisional officer III, Michael Tetteh, Sekondi Metro Fire Commander, ADOII Emmanuel Apprey, in charge of Public Education, also received awards.
ACFO1 Ohemeng, speaking with journalists, explained that the event was organised to sharpen the skills of personnel.
“Most of our activities are based on chemistry and physics. So there is combustion aspect and you needed to be well versed in these areas, even if your science background is not so strong. Besides, you need to study constantly because fire is integrated and technical, and you need to study engineering, technology which keeps changing,” ACFO1 Ohemeng explained.
He said, “Normally, these are questions that you should be able to answer on your feet. The competitors have displayed intelligence and they did well. These are young guys, very young people, some of whom just passed out, less than a year ago”.
ACFO1 Ohemeng said that the maiden competition would be given a major boost and the 2023 event would “see a bigger event and a marked improvement”.
He indicated that the Military, Navy and Air Force and Fire Department of the Ghana Ports and Harbours have expressed interest in joining the competition.
“Firefighting in the Sekondi Metro or even the Western Region is a high risk. So these are compatriots that we always call upon to assist us and we cannot do without them, that is why we have them here and they are upbeat about the next competition,” the Fire Commander stated.
He commended corporate organisations, including Twyford, Occupational Safety and Health Organisation (OSHA) and First Samuel supermarkets for their contributions towards a successful competition.
FROM CLEMENT ADZEI BOYE, FIJAI
