Assistant Division Officer Class One (ADO1) Ebenezer Dadzie from the Budumburam Fire Station at Kasoa, Central Region, has issued a stern warning to individuals who misuse emergency hotlines for pranks. He emphasized that frivolous calls to services like the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Police, and Ambulance are a serious issue, wasting valuable resources and potentially endangering lives.
National Fire Service (GNFS), Police, and Ambulance are a serious issue, wasting valuable resources and potentially endangering lives.
In an interview on Trust FM’s Agoo Ghana Show, ADO1 Dadzie highlighted that such pranks make it challenging for emergency responders to distinguish genuine calls for help. He cited an incident where a man was apprehended for falsely reporting a fire, resulting in wasted resources amounting to Ghc1,000.00. As a consequence, the individual was required to compensate by cleaning their fire truck.
ADO1 Dadzie cautioned the public about the legal consequences of making false emergency reports, stressing that it could lead to imprisonment for up to two years or more under Ghanaian law. He also underscored the importance of contacting the GNFS first in cases like motor accidents, where their specialized tools can aid in rescuing trapped victims swiftly, potentially preventing further harm.
He urged citizens to be mindful of their responsibility in emergencies and avoid unnecessary delays by directly contacting the appropriate emergency service. This, he emphasized, could significantly mitigate risks and save lives.
