THE Guyana Fire Service (GFS) observed Fire Prevention Week this month with a variety of activities that marked significant successes.
Fire Chief Marlon Gentle told the Guyana Chronicle that the GFS recorded significant successes in its enhanced fire safety outreaches. Personnel from fire stations countrywide went into the communities distributing flyers and pamphlets on fire safety awareness, and holding talks with residents on personal and fire safety. The communities were very receptive to the overtures.
Fire Chief Gentle disclosed that the GFS was able to execute 90% of the programmes planned for Fire Prevention Week.
Several fire safety fairs were held on the East and West Coasts of Demerara, in Georgetown, and on the East Bank Demerara, where community centres were used to facilitate the events.
The fire safety fairs were especially beneficial to school children and members of the public. The biggest one was held on the pavement of Fogarty’s on Water Street, in collaboration with agencies such as the National Hardware and the Guyana Power and Light Inc., among others.
The major event was the anniversary route march around the city. The march pass for that event was held in front of the Ministry of Home Affairs on Brickdam, where Minister Clement Rohee took the salute.
Gentle added that the GFS is presently wrapping up a two-week hinterland fire prevention training in Region One (Barima/Waini) at Mabaruma and Port Kaituma.
Giving statistics, Fire Chief Gentle revealed that, this year, the GFS received 1148 fire calls; 90 buildings were destroyed; 29 were severely damaged, and 104 were slightly damaged. Eight deaths and nine injuries were recorded in fires for 2011, and there were also 100 false fire calls.
For the corresponding period in 2010, the GFS had 1497 fire calls; 109 buildings were destroyed, 46 were severely damaged, and 11 deaths were recorded. There were also 157 false fire calls for 2010.