– at Leonora
CHIEF Fire Officer Marlon Gentle said, yesterday, that training in the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) will be significantly boosted after the completion, later this year, of the specialised facility for the purpose, in the compound of Leonora Fire Station, West Coast Demerara. He said phase one of the construction is completed and, as soon as the tender process is concluded and the contract awarded, phase two will commence.
The Fire Chief said phase one of the capital project is 90 percent complete, which entailed fencing, building of culverts and bridges and levelling of the approximately four acres of land occupied.
He explained it will be the first GFS dedicated area where personnel will be trained and it would have most of the requirements, with all basic amenities, including accommodation, classrooms, facilities for both practical and theoretical training in all disciplines of firefighting.
He said that first phase is being executed through the Ministry of Home Affairs at a cost of $25M and the second would start after the tender, which was advertised in the newspapers, is approved.
Gentle said phase two will see the erection of the edifice for the training school, creation of an open tarmac and a simulated area for all demonstrations, as regards both firefighting and administrative support.
He said, at the end of phase two, GFS will start to train but, presently, the process is taking place at different locations, including, Alberttown Fire Station, the National Park and the City Constabulary building on Water Street, all in Georgetown.