The Ghana National Fire Service has commissioned 60 officers into its Fire Police Unit as part of efforts to strengthen security at emergency scenes and protect firefighters from rising attacks.
The event, which took place in Accra yesterday, coincided with the opening of a three-week intensive course in rebuilding the unit, which had witnessed limited training over the past decades.
The three-week course is being facilitated by the Ghana Military Police.
The topics include basic policing, intelligence gathering, crime prevention, VIP protection, defensive tactics, physical security, report writing, basic criminal law and professional conduct and ethics.
Upon completion of the course, the officers would, in turn, train their colleagues across all regions and commands.
Repositioning
The Chief Fire Officer, Daniella Muwusi Ntow Sarpong, said the service was taking steps to reposition the Fire Police Unit into a formidable force capable of handling modern security threats.
She explained that the unit, which was established in October 1992, to enforce internal discipline, had not received structured training since 1998, creating a gap in capacity.
The CFO said recent attacks on firefighters had made the training necessary.
“Some have been beaten, harassed and blocked by criminals who use weapons to stop our work and put lives at risk. This must stop,” she stressed.
Expanded mandate
The Chief Fire Officer said the rebranded unit would now go beyond internal discipline to take on broader operational roles.
This is aimed at protecting firefighters and equipment at emergency scenes, including controlling hostile crowds, managing traffic, securing incident areas and investigating security-related cases within the service.
She urged the trainees to maintain high standards of conduct, discipline and self-control in the discharge of their duties.
The CFO added that the training would be held every six months to ensure continuous capacity building across all regions.
Collaboration
The Commanding Officer of the Ghana Military Police, Lt Col Jacqueline Dela Galley, said the programme reflected growing collaboration between the military and the fire service.
She said the evolving nature of emergencies required firefighters to develop broader security awareness and operational readiness.
“The aim is to equip participants with essential knowledge and practical skills to operate effectively in complex and high-risk environments,” the Commanding Officer said.
She said the course would cover areas such as weapon handling, first aid and basic military operational tactics to support national security and emergency response operations.
Lt Col Galley advised the participants to uphold discipline and professionalism, adding that the training would challenge them both mentally and physically.
She also called for uniform standards between the Fire Police Unit and the Military Police during joint operations, stressing the need for consistency in conduct, attitude and performance.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh
