THE Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has successfully completed a one-week beginners training programme for 18 Kwakwani volunteers through its Hinterland Fire Protection Plan, and they are now capable of manning the station in the community.

Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle noted that under the plan, Lethem, Mahdia, Kwakwani, Mabaruma, Kumaka and Port Kaituma were provided with firefighting capabilities.
Gentle also pointed out that the GFS has grown over the years from a service with a mere five ill-equipped stations to a total of 15, which are outfitted with modern firefighting vehicles and equipment countrywide.   He declared that notwithstanding persistent criticisms, the GFS has made significant strides as an organisation within recent times,
Meanwhile, he noted that all the activities undertaken during 2010 resulted from the implementation of the GFS Strategic Plan and the recently formulated Hinterland Fire Protection Plan.
Gentle said further that work will advance this year towards the full implementation of both plans, following efforts in 2010 to decentralise operations and ensure that outlying communities were the recipients of better firefighting services, which has been achieved with support from the business sector and public-spirited citizens.

Expansion
The GFS is on a continuous expansion programme, with the erection of the Diamond Fire Station on the East Bank Demerara, which is soon to be completed, and a new training location under construction at Leonora, West Coast Demerara.
Fire Chief Gentle pointed out that the void which previously existed in the GFS reaching the hinterland was filled with the introduction of the Hinterland Plan.
He said the importance of expanding the services was emphasized in recent times by the rapid growth and development witnessed in the hinterland communities.
The places targeted include Kumaka, Port Kaituma, Moruca, Mabaruma, Lethem, Mahdia and Kwakwani and the strategy envisages a partnership in the implementation between residents, who have shown a high level of interest, and the GFS.