The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), in collaboration with the North Dakota National Guard, has successfully concluded a week-long hazardous materials (hazmat) training for 55 selected security officers.

The programme, held at the GNFS Headquarters in Accra, saw 45 GNFS officers, five Ghana Armed Forces personnel, and five National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) officers equipped with critical skills to effectively manage hazardous materials during emergencies.

Participants engaged in both theoretical and practical simulations and were taken through the identification of hazardous substances, chemical properties, emergency response protocols, and decontamination procedures to reinforce their ability to respond to real-world incidents.

Mr Julius Kuunuor, the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) of the GNFS, in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency, expressed appreciation to the North Dakota National Guard for its efforts in strengthening Ghana’s emergency response capacity.

The training, he said, would significantly enhance officers’ skills, ensuring their safety and the protection of lives and property.

As part of the support, the North Dakota team donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the GNFS.

CFO Kuunuor expressed gratitude for the gesture, stating that the PPE would go a long way to protect firefighters during hazardous material incidents, ultimately contributing to saving lives and protecting property.

The initiative also strengthened coordination among emergency services, ensuring a more effective joint response to “hazmat” incidents.

Officers received certificates of proficiency, positioning them as essential assets in handling hazardous materials and safeguarding communities.