– meets with Fire Service ranks at Onverwagt
MINISTER of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee Friday kicked off his outreach in Berbice with his first stop at the Onverwagt Fire Station, Region Five.
The minister met with the officers at the station, where they were given the opportunity to raise their concerns and highlight their challenges. Prank calls to the station were pinpointed as a major issue by the ranks, who lamented the waste of time and resources in responding to these calls, which can have dire consequences on real emergencies.
The minister explained the rules governing the process of promotion of ranks within the Guyana Fire Service; and in answer to an issue raised; Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle said that promotions are announced when vacancies are available.
The GFS is working constantly to encourage more auxiliary firefighters to augment the efforts of the GFS.
It was recognised that fire hydrants are non-existent in Region 5, and Gentle said that the GFS is working closely with the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils to ensure that canals and drains are cleared at all times; the GFS is also hoping to procure more water bowsers (water tank trucks) from next year’s budgetary allocation. The aim is to have at least one bowser at each station.
With regard to training, Gentle disclosed that by 2013, the GFS is hoping to commence instructing its ranks at the firefighting training school at Leonora, West Coast Demerara.
It is designed to enable the execution of approximately 90 percent of the GFS’s training, especially the practical aspects. The facility will have the capacity to accommodate 50 to 60 persons and is expected to greatly boost the GFS’s capacity to function more efficiently. (GINA)