-Local Fire Service Commander appeals for repair of fire trucks
By Christopher Yarwoe in Grand Bassa County
Buchanan – Liberia’s second city, Buchanan is currently without a functional fire truck, sparking appeal from the local commander to concessions operating in Grand Bassa County to help.
Amidst government’s current financial squeeze, the Commander of the local Fire Service Detachment Samuel Wisseh has appealed to Arcelor Mittal, Liberian Agricultural Company (LAC) and Hotel Buchanan help repair the two fire trucks to serve the public in case of any fire incident.
Wisseh’s appeal comes weeks after three children were killed, when a 12-bedroom house was gutted by fire in Buchanan.
On the late night of October 24, 2017, the three children burnt to ashes after their house was caught fire, which was said to have been caused by candle light.
According to the Buchanan Fire Service boss, the two trucks that broke down need complete overhaul of the engine to get them functional in responding to fire disasters in the county.
Wisseh told the local Magic FM that one of the trucks was donated to the Fire Service in 2007 by the Buchanan Renewables Energy (BRE) and UNMIL provided the other truck to the Fire Service Detachment during its draw down process.
Besides making appeal to these companies, Mr. Wisseh disclosed to Magic FM that from the most recent county sitting resolution in September last year, the citizens and leadership of Grand Bassa County reached a decision to give US$10,000.00 to the Fire Service Detachment.
But Wisseh said that amount, which is intended to strengthen the capacity of the Fire Service, is yet to be made available by the Ministry of Finance.
At the same time, the local Fire Service chief has extended his condolences to the bereaved families of the three children killed in the recent Buchanan fire incident, which also destroyed thousands of dollars worth of properties.
According to Wisseh “the Fire Service needs an ambulance to attend to emergency cases in time of fire in the county.”