The Chief Fire Officer, Mr. William Brown-Acquaye, has announced that the GNFS will soon acquire some specialised motorcycles to enable its personnel to get certain in-accessible places like markets or crowded places. He said it would help the fire officers to get to fire scenes on time before the fire tenders arrive. Opening a two-day seminar for the Fire Service Ladies Association (FISLA) under the theme: “Overcoming the challenges of Ghana National Fire Service, The role of Fire Service Ladies Association” at Kpong in the Lower Manya District, Mr Brown-Acquaye said the Eastern Region had been chosen to start on pilot bases. He assured fire ladies that everything was being one by both the government and the management of the service to support them to move the service forward. The Chief Fire Officer gave the assurance that "this and many more things are being done to make the GNFS achieve its goals for an efficient service to the public". He commended the women for the unique roles they were playing to make the service what it should be. The president of the Eastern Regional branch of the Fire Service Ladies Association (FISLA), Divisional Officer Irene Mantey appealed to the management of the service and the government to give "the women who are due for leadership positions the chance just as the other sister sectors do". She explained that most of the ladies in the service had the requisite qualities and qualifications to be in leadership position but they were always made to act when the men were not there. She complained that the few ladies who were made to act did so for years without any allowances and instead of confirming them, the men were brought later to take over. "Our conditions of service state that acting in position for three months, one must be paid compensation," she said. The aim of the association is to foster unity, good relationship, sharing practical experiences and to project the image of the service. The Eastern Regional Minister Mr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, who was the guest speaker, said the theme for the programme was appropriate because approval had been given to the management of the service to recruit workers to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery. "More fire engines and other equipment have also been purchased for the service." He encouraged the workers to spend more time on educating the public on fire prevention, rewiring of houses, and purchase standard and approved electrical appliances. Source: Ghanaian Times/Ghana