OVERVIEW

Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) is an agency of government under the Ministry of Interior.

The idea of a National Fire Service was conceived in 1955 and in 1962, the Government of Ghana employed the services of a Fire Advisory Expert, Mr. G. S. Leader, under the United Kingdom-Ghana Technical Assistance Programme to help formulate a policy on the formation of a National Fire Service which had long been contemplated. In 1963 by an Act of Parliament (Fire Service Act 1963; Act 219) the Ghana National Fire Service was born.

Subsequently, in 1997 the Ghana National Fire Service Act (Act 537) was enacted to re-establish the Ghana National Fire Service with the objective of prevention and management of undesired fires and other related matters. The purpose of Act 537 was to expand the functions of the GNFS taking into cognisance modern trends in the Fire Services all over the world; from fire intervention to fire prevention and safety from fire and other emergencies, thereby protecting the people, industry, crops and the vegetation.

MISSION

The Ghana National Fire Service is committed to providing an efficient and valued fire and rescue service to meet statutory requirement in Act 537 and public expectation. This will be achieved through appropriate resourcing in terms of equipment, appliances, and premises and by effectively training personnel.

We are confident that we can maintain and improve public safety from fire and other emergencies, thereby protecting the people, industry, crops and vegetation.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the Ghana National Fire Service is to manage and prevent undesired fires.

AIM

To attain a World Class fire and rescue status thereby providing quality and efficient services to the Citizenry.

OUR VISION

To prevent and manage undesired fires, thereby reducing loss of lives and property by enforcement of fire safety measures in national strategic installations and responding promptly to fire disasters.

FUNCTIONS

Under Ghana National Fire Service Act, 1997, Act 537, the following are the functions the Service is mandated to perform;

Organize Public Fire Education Programmes to:

Create and sustain awareness of the hazards of fire.

Heighten the role of the individual in the prevention of fire.

Provide Technical advice for building plans in respect of machinery and structural layouts to facilitate escape from fire, rescue operations and fire management.
Inspect and offer technical advice on fire extinguishers
Co-ordinate and advice on the training of personnel in firefighting departments of institutions in the country.
Train and organize Fire Volunteer Squads at community level.
Offer rescue and Evacuation services to those trapped by fire or in other emergency situations, and
Undertake any other function incidental to the objective of the Service.
We serve on the National Security Council, REGSEC, DISEC and committees of other Institutions – NADMO, EPA, Planning Committee of District Assemblies.
We perform other National Assignments.

POWERS

Act 537 has given the following powers to the Service in pursuant of its roles.

Any member of the service who is on duty may without the consent of the occupiers.

- Enter and if necessary, break into any premises or place in which a fire has broken out or of extinguishing or dealing with the fire.

- Do all such things in the premises or place as he may deem necessary for extinguishing or dealing with the fire.

Any member of the service may in order to deal with an outbreak of fire, enter any land or premises.

- To ensure the use of the water under the control of any person.

- To improve the access to any such water and

- To lay and maintain hydrants and to carry out other works in connection with the power above.