A joint exercise by Fire Service personnel and the police to ensure that individuals and organisations in the Tema Municipality complied with fire precaution regulations would begin in the Tema township on Wednesday, August 22. Mr. Paul Tamakloe, Assistant Chief Fire Officer at the Tema Regional Fire Officer, disclosed this at a press conference in Tema on Thursday. He said the exercise that would be in line with the Legislative Instrument (LI) 1724, would help the Ghana National Fire Service to update its existing contingency plans. The Service is required by the LI to inspect and offer technical advice on specified building, building plans and to ensure that adequate and effective fire fighting equipment, as well as early fire detection and warning systems are installed. Mr. Tamakloe said the Service did not only fight fire but it also ensured that the public complied with the LI adding that the acquisition of fire certificates was a requirement for use of premises. He reminded the public that refusal to obtain such a certificate was an offence that attracted summary conviction to a fine not exceeding 250 penalty units, or an imprisonment not exceeding 12 months, or both. Mr. Tamakloe urged Ghanaians to appreciate the relevance of fire safety measures and said monies spent on fire safety and fire fighting could be channeled into development projects. Source: GNA