MINISTER of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, accompanied by Chief Fire Officer, Marlon Gentle, on Thursday cut the ribbon to signal the opening of the $20.8M Diamond Fire Station, which will serve several communities along the East Bank Demerara corridor. Rohee, in his address at the ceremony, firstly expressed appreciation to his colleague Minister of Housing, Irfaan Ali, for allocating the plot of land where the Diamond Fire Station is located.
He said that the opening of the fire station at the location points to the progressive development being pursued by the government with public safety and development in mind.
Rohee stated that with the Diamond Fire Station, residents will have a sense of comfort and it underscores government’s response to a growing housing development area.
The minister pointed out that with a population of about 8,000, it was necessary that a fire station should become a permanent fixture in the community, considering the presence of a hospital, three banks, new schools, the Courts store, a police station, and the construction of a new highway, which are all part of the rapid development taking place in the Grove/Diamond area.
He said further that it is all part of the strategic plan of the Ministry of Home Affairs in its consolidated approach to development and the Guyana Fire Station is part and parcel of the strategic plan which is endorsed and funded by the government.
Rohee pointed out that in 1992, there were eight fire stations across the country, with only four being operational; but since then, nine new fire stations have been established and five of the old ones have been rehabilitated.
He added that the GFS in 1992 had three and a half fire trucks, now they have 54 fire tenders, excluding those in the hinterland regions. Moreover, he endorsed the GFS Hinterland Fire Protection Plan.
The minister also spoke of the development of the GFS and pointed out that they have now reached the point of re-branding the GFS as the Guyana Fire and Rescue Service, and he highlighted the significance of a fire station to the community.
Meanwhile, Chief Fire Officer, Marlon Gentle told the gathering that the commissioning of the Diamond Fire Station is another step of the GFS in reaching out to developing communities.
He explained that a few years ago a fire had ripped through three buildings at Grove, accelerating  a call for a fire station in the growing community.

Rapid housing drive

He added that Diamond is one of the largest housing developments in recent times, and with the added development, there is a need for fire protection and fire safety to safeguard the community.
The Diamond Fire Station is equipped with a fire tender and five firemen to provide initial fire response service from Providence Stadium to Garden of Eden, with additional support from the West Ruimveldt, Central and Timehri fire stations, when necessary.

Quick response

The Chief Fire Officer pointed out that the commissioning of this newest fire station is another step in fulfilling one of their fundamental goals – that is to provide quick response time to fires.
He also charged the ranks manning the fire station to serve the community and remember their motto “Service with confidence”, while discharging their duties in a very professional and cordial manner.

 Giving an overview of the project, Home Affairs Ministry Expenditure Planning and Management Analyst Officer, Simone Simon, said that the construction of Diamond Fire Station started in November 2011 and was completed in October 2012, at a cost of $20.8M.