– another exhibition held as part of Fire Prevention Week activities
In an effort to raise awareness about fire prevention and safety, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has targeted students of several primary and secondary schools. It held another one of its mini exhibitions Wednesday at the Lusignan Community Centre, Region Four, under the theme, “Promoting safer communities through active participation in fire prevention”.
The GFS aims to provide the necessary information needed to prevent or to act wisely in cases of fire. By reaching students, it is believed that they will in turn extend this information to their peers, their families, and communities.
The day’s activities included lectures on fire safety and prevention, and students were given the opportunity to examine a fire truck and all the apparatus used by the GFS. Excitement flared as students were afforded the chance to honk the horn and take rides on the fire engine. Both students and teachers indulged in putting out fires using a fire extinguisher, as they learnt the correct way of using the equipment.
Fire Prevention Officer, Central Fire Station, Christopher Telesford, advised students to promptly inform the GFS in case of a fire, while efforts may be made to out the blaze. Telesford stated that “prevention of fires is dependent on civilians; and as such fire is everybody’s business”.
Student of Buxton Secondary, Nicolette Powers, stated that she learnt that, “fire is dangerous and it’s nobody’s friend; but it can also be useful for cases such as cooking.”
Teachers expressed appreciation to the GFS for better informing students of fire prevention and safety, and advocated the continuous involvement of students each year in observance of Fire Prevention Week. “This is something that should be held more often for students”, Candy Primo, teacher at President’s College said.
Earlier in the week, two mini exhibitions were held at Uitvlugt, Region Three, and Diamond, Region Four. Another exhibition was held at the Central Fire Station yesterday, to reach the general public. The week’s activities will conclude with a grand exhibition today outside Fogarty’s in Georgetown.