Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee handed over five fire tenders, a Trailer pump and a Hose Lane lorry, all costing $92M, to the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) yesterday morning, in a move to boost that entity’s capacity to fight fires countrywide.
The handing-over ceremony took place at the National Park tarmac in Thomas Lands, Georgetown, where Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle was presented with the equipment in the presence of officers and employees of the GFS.
Rohee remarked that the presentation signals government’s commitment to building and expanding the capacity of the GFS.
He added that the GFS has been expanding its scope, and has formulated the Hinterland Strategic Plan by which those far-flung interior areas would be equipped with trained volunteers and the necessary fire fighting equipment to deal with fires.
The minister said that a fire fighting plan was introduced to the hinterland because there are changes in the migration of people there and development is taking place, and there is a consequent need to address interior fires.
Rohee encouraged employees of the GFS to take good care of the gifted vehicles, in order to ensure their long service.
Meanwhile, Fire Chief Marlon Gentle told the gathering that it has been some time since the GFS embarked on an upgrading exercise of its resources, in keeping with the strategic plan which first came into operation in 2007.
He noted that the GFS has been re-tooling as well as building investment; and with the new fire tenders and the much needed Hose Lane lorry, that service can move large quantities of water at fire scenes.
Gentle said that the Hose Lane lorry is equipped with 1.2 miles of hose, a significant amount in fighting fires; and the GFS has also acquired one of six Trailer pumps, which is being shipped from the United Kingdom and is expected here before the end of this year.
The fire chief added that, after  GFS personnel have been trained in the use of the vehicles, the vehicles would be sent to areas where training is needed countrywide, especially in the hinterland locations.
GFS personnel have concluded two weeks of training for volunteers in fire fighting at Port Kaituma and Mabaruma.
Gentle said that, overall, there has been a decrease in fires and fire calls. He also spoke of the successes of the GFS, in which the service is being supported by the MOHA, and has grown over its 54-year existence with 14 fire stations countrywide.
He added that one fire station is being constructed at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, and another is expected to be commissioned at Mahaica, East Coast Demerara.
Following the presentation ceremony, the minister inspected the vehicles, which were parked on the tarmac at the National Park.