THE Guyana Fire Service (GFS) $139M state-of-the-art Training School Complex at Leonora, West Coast Demerara was officially opened Monday by Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee, who also unveiled the dedication plaque.He said the training facility has finally come to fruition after years of painstaking planning by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) and the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) to ensure that the GFS is equipped in all areas to carry out its mandate.
MODERNISING GFS
He added that it is a testimony of the Government’s commitment to modernising the GFS to a full fledged Fire and Rescue Service, which can offer a variety of emergency services to the citizens of Guyana.
Meanwhile, Rohee told the gathering that it was disappointing that a few persons would have a vested interest in stymieing the modernising process of this important Disciplined Service.
He noted that the Government cannot however, continue to deny its citizens access to better emergency services such as an Ambulance Service and other humanitarian emergency services that the GFS undertakes on a regular basis.
The Home Affairs Minister noted that it therefore means that more has to be done to develop these services to meet the demands of a developing country like Guyana.
He disclosed that the GFS has 46 fire tenders, five aircraft crash and rescue tenders, one hydraulic platform, three all-terrain tenders, two trailer pumps, four water bowers and four ambulances.
INCREASING STRENGTH
The Minister said that in addition, over 168 ranks were exposed to overseas training and the strength of the GFS also grew from 368 to 511 during this period.
Rohee stated that prior to 1992, the GFS operated from two fire stations and one fire tender and one pick-up vehicle were operational in the city, while Campbellville and Alberttown were closed for the lack of fire tenders and poor conditions at the fire station buildings. He stated that there were only three other operational stations full-time in Guyana – the New Amsterdam, Timehri and Leonora Fire Stations.
The Minister noted that training was done on an ad hoc basis at fire stations because there was no established facility to undertake sound training of ranks for the GFS.
INT’L WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Rohee said that the GFS has now established working relationships with the Caribbean Fire Services, the French Guiana Fire Service and Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service and the Seven Park Fire and Rescue Training Centre and has benefitted from positive initiatives from these relationships in the form of training and exchange visits.
He pointed out that the MOHA and the GFS have realised that there is need for a new approach to modernise the GFS and have just completed a new five-year strategic plan to bring the service up-to-date with modern methods of a Fire and Rescue Service.
UNSAFE PRCTICES
Rohee added that these are just a few highlights of the government’s commitment to make citizens safer but he urged persons to desist from unsafe practices such as the theft of electricity, deliberately setting fires to open lands and public spaces, acts of arson and malicious setting of fires.

Meanwhile, Chief Fire Officer, Marlon Gentle in his remarks noted that after 57 years the GFS has a training facility to shape and mould its ranks.
He added that prior to the construction of the training facility, training was done at several fire stations and the Guyana Police Force facility but now they have their own after years of planning.
He stated that since 2011 the GFS and the MOHA have been in talks to have the state-of-the-art training complex constructed and he was very pleased that it has been established to enhance the skills of the ranks.
Gentle told the large gathering on Monday that it was also the first time in their history that they were witnessing a Passing Out Parade of 93 recruits, who had completed three months of rigid training.
FIRE STATION FOR WEST BANK
He pointed out that with the changing landscape on the West Coast Demerara corridor, there is need for a second fire station and so one will be constructed at La Grange, West Bank Demerara.
He explained too that the GFS will also be running an Ambulance Service as first responders and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) to facilitate humanitarian work in service to the citizens and community.
Gentle added that over the years they have been the premier agency that is constantly being called to assist in emergency situations such as fires and road accidents and they remain committed to saving lives and protecting property.
The Fire Chief also urged the recruits to be both physically and mentally prepared since they will come in for unfair criticisms at times.
The ultramodern facility was declared open when Minister Rohee unveiled the plaque and cut the ribbon before an official tour of the two-storey building.

(By Michel Outridge)