On Friday, 10^th September 2021, led by the Quality, Health, Safety, Security and Environment department of Meridian Port Services Limited (MPS) conducted a fire drill to test readiness during fire outbreaks.

This drill which is the first in the series of a number of drills to be held within the month is aimed at sensitizing all employees and terminal users on fire safety.

The hour long activity involved the use of artificial smoke to trigger the response of the fire alarm system as in the case of what occurs when a real fire starts. Scenarios of different fire situations were enacted by the Lead Coordinator, Adams Kabir.

Thereafter, Mr. Kabir provided some education on types of fires, types of extinguishers and how to approach fire-fighting.

In all the exercise tested 3 main areas: Response to fire emergencies, how to extinguish fires and general fire safety precautions.

Addressing the gathering at one of demarcated emergency assembly point in front of the Administrative Building, the Q-HSSE Manager, Mr. Kingsley Ameyaw said, “We need to ensure that all staff and other terminal users react in the appropriate manner during such emergencies.  To be fully prepared requires the right information and this what we sought to give all employees and other terminal users alike”

At end of the session, Chief Executive Officer Mr. Mohamed Samara commended all employees on the readiness and attention during the exercise. He encouraged the need to be safety conscious at all times. “I believe that we have performed well in this drill and met all the targets and goals set by the safety team. These types of drills help us to prepare and create better outcomes in case of an emergency. Said Mr. Samara

MPS is a recognized leader in safe terminal operations and has been duly audited by the Ghana National Fire Service on its fire safety readiness and issued a Fire Certificate.

As a proactive measure, the MPS Terminal 3 facility has a fire truck & hydrants installed in vantage areas and trained some employees as fire wardens  in all departments of the organization. There are also wall displays of directions on how to use fire extinguishers in an outbreak.