A Ghanaian Applied Computer Technology Specialist, Dr. Kenneth M. Afari, has invented an innovative early fire warning system that communicates possible fire outbreaks directly to the Ghana Fire Service so they can move in quickly and prevent the fire even in the absence of the house or office owner. Dr. Afari is the CEO of Socio Computers Limited, and he told Adom News the system, called Socio Early Fire Warning System, also allows home and office owners to key in their phone numbers such that when there is any sign of fire the system communicates it to the mobile phones to allow for early intervention. “It is sad that since the inception of Ghana Fire Service they have had to depend on reports from people about fire outbreaks only after the fire has turned into huge flames and destroyed valuable property,” he said. He noted that more often than not, even the phone calls fire officers receive from people are misleading as people are not able to give exact location of the fire. Dr. Afari said “unlike other fire alarm systems, Socio Early Fire Warning System gives signals about the fire as early as when the fire has reached a level where even a child can quench it with a cup of water – and it indicates the exact location of the fire.” “For instance, if you install the socio alarm system to your bedroom and give it a code name like ‘fire in bedroom’ it will communicate that code to your phone and to the Fire Service so they know exact where to go when they come to your house,” he explained. He said the system was invented with the challenges of Ghana in mind to suit the Ghanaian environment, adding that it can only be acquired in Ghana but it is of international quality and proven efficiency. Dr. Afari said in a country like Ghana where most offices close work by 6pm and leave their buildings, the device serves as a protector against fire in the absence of humans, adding that organizations such as VRA, Ghana Standard Boards, Aviance, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and others are currently using the system. When Adom News spoke with the Chief Fire Officer of the GCAA, Mr. Samuel Otoo who is the head of anti-fire team at the Kotoka International Airport, he confirmed the efficiency of the device, saying they use it at the KIA because it has a huge advantage over the conventional fire alarm system. “The conventional one only blows the alarm after picking smoke but does not send any signal to phones or directly to the GFS, but this one blows the alarm and also communicates even unusual build up of heat to your phone and to fire officers.” He said the device once sent a signal of fire at the GFS training school in Accra to the phone of a fire officer all the way in Wa. Mr. Otoo noted that he was part of a technical committee at the GFS when Dr. Afari brought the monitoring system to assist in getting early fire signals but since he left the service he is not aware of its use by the GFS. “But I use the device in my home and I have recommended it to a number of companies who have testified of its efficiency, so I would recommend it to the GFS as one of the most effective fire prevention systems,” he said. Mr. Otoo noted that as early as the 1970s Britain started using a similar system and that has prevented lots of fire outbreaks in that country, and now it is the turn of Ghana to also go preventive instead of waiting to fight fire when harm is already done. Story by: Samuel Nii Narku Dowuona/Adom News/Ghana