Mapping for Safety: HTU YouthMappers and Ghana National Fire Service – Ho Central Division Collaborate on Fire Hydrant Mapping

Introduction

On February 7, 2026, HTU YouthMappers, in partnership with the Ho Central Division of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), conducted a Fire Hydrant Mapping Exercise in the Ho Municipality, organized by Calvin Amevienku, YouthMappers Volunteer Regional Ambassador to Ghana. This initiative aimed to identify, verify, and digitally map 19 fire hydrants to support emergency response operations, improve fire safety planning, and strengthen community resilience. It also served as a pilot project for the entire Volta Region.

The exercise brought together passionate youth volunteers, geospatial technology enthusiasts, and fire officers who worked collaboratively to transform critical public safety infrastructure into accessible digital data for planning and decision-making.

Why Fire Hydrant Mapping Matters

Fire hydrants play a critical role in firefighting operations by providing firefighters with quick access to water during emergencies. However, in many communities, the exact locations and conditions of hydrants are either undocumented or outdated. This can delay emergency response and reduce the effectiveness of firefighting efforts.

By mapping fire hydrants, emergency responders can:

• Easily locate the nearest hydrants during fire outbreaks

• Assess whether hydrants are functional or damaged

• Improve route planning and response times

• Support urban planning and disaster preparedness

• Build reliable geospatial databases for public safety management

This exercise, therefore, served as an important step toward making Ho Municipality more prepared and safer.

The Role of Geospatial Technology

The project demonstrated the practical use of geospatial technology in solving real-world community problems. During the exercise, HTU YouthMappers used KoboCollect and OSMAnd to capture and verify hydrant locations.

The collected data included:

• Exact geographic coordinates of hydrants

• Physical condition and operational status

• Accessibility of hydrants

• Surrounding environmental observations

The verified information was then uploaded onto open mapping platforms to make the data accessible for planning, emergency response, and future updates.

This process highlights how digital mapping technologies can support disaster risk reduction and improve the efficiency of emergency services.

Collaboration with the Ghana National Fire Service

The Ghana National Fire Service – Ho Central Division played a major role in guiding the exercise. Fire officers educated participants on:

• The importance of hydrants in firefighting

• How hydrants are inspected and maintained

• Common challenges faced during emergency response

• Safety procedures during fieldwork

This collaboration created a valuable learning opportunity for students and volunteers by combining practical field experience with community service. The partnership also demonstrated how institutions and youth organizations can work together to address local challenges through innovation and technology.

Educational Impact of the Exercise

Beyond mapping, the activity served as an educational experience for participants.

Students gained hands-on skills in:

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

• GPS data collection

• Mobile data gathering using KoboCollect

• OpenStreetMap and digital mapping techniques

• Teamwork and field coordination

• Community-based disaster preparedness

The exercise helped participants understand how spatial data can be used in emergency management and public safety planning. It also encouraged young people to use technology for social good and community development.

In addition, participants were exposed to the practical connection between academic knowledge and real-world problem-solving. Many students who had previously learned about mapping and GIS in the classroom were able to apply these concepts directly in the field. This hands-on experience improved their technical confidence and deepened their understanding of how geospatial technologies contribute to public safety, urban management, and disaster risk reduction.

The exercise also promoted civic responsibility and community engagement among participants. By working alongside officers from the Ghana National Fire Service, students developed a stronger appreciation for emergency services and the importance of collaborative community action. The project inspired participants to see themselves not only as students and mappers, but also as active contributors to safer and more resilient communities through innovation and volunteerism.

Challenges Observed

During the exercise, some challenges were identified, including:

• Difficulty locating some hydrants due to poor visibility

• Limited public awareness about the importance of fire hydrants

• Some hydrants showing signs of damage or maintenance issues

• Accessibility challenges in certain areas

• Some hydrants being used as dump sites

These observations highlight the need for regular inspection, maintenance, and continuous mapping updates to ensure hydrants remain functional during emergencies.

Building Resilient Communities Through Mapping

The Fire Hydrant Mapping Exercise reflects the growing importance of youth-led geospatial innovation in promoting safer communities. By converting physical infrastructure into actionable digital information, HTU YouthMappers is helping to support:

• Faster emergency response times

• Better urban safety planning

• Improved disaster preparedness

• Enhanced collaboration between institutions and communities

Projects like this show that mapping is not only about geography but also about saving lives and protecting communities.

Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Fire Hydrant Mapping Exercise contributes directly to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:

• SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities: by improving urban safety and disaster preparedness

• SDG 13 – Climate Action: by strengthening resilience and emergency response systems

• SDG 4 – Quality Education: through practical geospatial education and technical skill development

• SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals: through collaboration between HTU YouthMappers and the Ghana National Fire Service

By integrating technology, education, and community engagement, the project demonstrates how local initiatives can contribute to global development goals.

Conclusion

The partnership between HTU YouthMappers and the Ghana National Fire Service – Ho Central Division on February 7, 2026, was a meaningful step toward improving fire safety and disaster preparedness in Ho Central. Through geospatial technology, digital mapping tools, and collaborative fieldwork, the initiative successfully documented key fire hydrant infrastructure for future planning and emergency response.

This exercise exemplifies how youth-driven innovation and institutional collaboration can create positive community impact. As technology continues to shape modern emergency management, initiatives like this will remain essential in building resilient and informed communities.

Special appreciation goes to the Ho Central Fire Service team for their guidance, partnership, and commitment throughout the exercise, as well as to our patrons, Ing. Dr. Benjamin Wullobayi and Ing. Laudina Mends, and to our Regional Ambassador, Calvin Amevienku. Together, we continue mapping for impact and creating safer communities for all.

Profile of the Chapter

HTU YouthMappers is a student-led geospatial and humanitarian mapping chapter affiliated with the global YouthMappers network at Ho Technical University. The chapter brings together students who are passionate about Geographic Information Systems (GIS), OpenStreetMap, remote sensing, community development, disaster management, and environmental sustainability.

The chapter focuses on using open geospatial technologies and mapping tools to solve real-world problems, support humanitarian initiatives, and contribute to sustainable development within communities in Ghana and beyond.

Mission

• Promote the use of open-source geospatial technologies

• Build students' skills in GIS, mapping, and spatial data analysis

• Support humanitarian and community development projects through mapping

• Encourage youth leadership, innovation, and volunteerism

• Contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Vision

To empower young people to create resilient and sustainable communities by mapping and using geospatial data for positive social impact.

About the Author

Twumasi Vivid is an Agricultural and Environmental Engineering student at Ho Technical University and the president of HTU YouthMappers Chapter.