SEVERAL fire victims were given assistance last week, through the collaboration of  Guyana Environmental Health and Safety Foundation (GEH&SF) and Survival Supermarket.

The beneficiary families received individual $10,000 cheques and a five per cent discount on specific items at the supermarket.

President of the Foundation, Mr. Darwin Bourne said the gesture was in recognition of Fire Prevention Month, being observed in October, as well as in keeping with his organisation’s aim of providing not only fire prevention training but aid to the unfortunate persons who suffered loss.

“In our efforts to prevent fires, some will slip through the sieve. We see the need to render some form of assistance to them,” he said.

Bourne said two families, who suffered losses this past month, were identified as beneficiaries of the generous donations to assist them in recovering from the disaster.

“This would be a continuous donation. It’s not just in observance of Fire Prevention Month,” he assured.

Bourne said his non-governmental organisation (NGO) will soon embark on a new project to begin construction of fire relief homes, to ensure that victims are placed in a safe and comfortable environment to facilitate speedier recovery from the trauma.

“We will replicate the home environment and provide the basic necessities and, in addition, they would also get the support of counsellors,” he explained.

FUNDING

Bourne emphasised that the Foundation will be funding the charitable venture through proceeds obtained from hosting seminars and undertaking consultancy services for special businesses, with the first such home to be opened, by February of next year, at Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara.
He said several other locations have already been earmarked for such buildings.

The Foundation has also conducted several fire drills at schools in Georgetown which have been accredited by the Ministry of Education, the first at Kingston Community High School, followed by another at Bishops’ High School.

Three more schools, Brickdam Secondary, St. Stanislaus and St. Roses High School, also in Georgetown are targeted for next week.

GE&SF, in its continuing efforts to promote safety will also be hosting a seminar, also risk management, at Duke Lodge, in Duke Street, Kingston, on October 29.

The theme for the NGO, formed two years ago, is ‘Safety Evolves’ and it seeks to enhance that and security in Guyana.

The observance of Fire Prevention Week is themed ‘Promoting safer community through active participation in fire prevention’ and the resuscitated Fire Advisory Board is joining forces with related agencies countrywide to remind residents of the importance of the quest.