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CHIEF Fire Officer Marlon Gentle has reported that statistics, over the past six to eight years, show that fires at buildings, particularly dwelling houses, are more prevalent.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Diamond Fire Station, East Bank Demerara, last Thursday, he said it will provide initial response in the event of an outbreak within that district before getting back-up from other stations in the city. Gentle noted that motor vehicle accidents, in which they have to remove the injured as first responders to the scene, are on the increase and highlighted the work of the Guyana Fire Service .
He said,“We recognise that fire loss is a social and emotional loss in this country, and even as GFS will respond, the responsibility for the environment lies squarely on residents.”
Gentle spoke of the high incidence of electrical fires in which houses have one drop cord connection with many appliances attached to it, pointing out that this is a recipe for disaster which eventually leads to a blaze.
He remarked that, although the GFS comes in for criticism about slow response at times, the human element involved points to the total disregard for the basic rules of safety.
More aware
Gentle urged all homeowners to protect their homes and be more aware, adding that arsonists are at work in domestic disputes, while torching of vehicles with some insurance fraud involved is becoming the norm of the day.
He disclosed that, sometimes, the GFS gets a call that a vehicle is on fire at 02:00 hrs in the morning, with no one around, but they still have to respond, and in recent times, this has happened a lot.
The Fire Chief said there is also the burning of styrofoam and plastics which is very noxious and hazardous, noting that, while citizens are doing these things, the GFS cannot afford to sit back, and he challenged them to find other ways of disposing waste.
Gentle said there is also concern over the number of derelict edifices which have no resistance to flames and advised the owners to have them demolished and removed.
He appealed to citizens to be prudent, pay more attention to safeguarding their properties, pointing out that the general safety is in their own hands.
Gentle said he is, however, grateful to the government for the provision of services to the community, which reflects its interest in safeguarding citizens against fires.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Diamond Fire Station, East Bank Demerara, last Thursday, he said it will provide initial response in the event of an outbreak within that district before getting back-up from other stations in the city. Gentle noted that motor vehicle accidents, in which they have to remove the injured as first responders to the scene, are on the increase and highlighted the work of the Guyana Fire Service .
He said,“We recognise that fire loss is a social and emotional loss in this country, and even as GFS will respond, the responsibility for the environment lies squarely on residents.”
Gentle spoke of the high incidence of electrical fires in which houses have one drop cord connection with many appliances attached to it, pointing out that this is a recipe for disaster which eventually leads to a blaze.
He remarked that, although the GFS comes in for criticism about slow response at times, the human element involved points to the total disregard for the basic rules of safety.
More aware
Gentle urged all homeowners to protect their homes and be more aware, adding that arsonists are at work in domestic disputes, while torching of vehicles with some insurance fraud involved is becoming the norm of the day.
He disclosed that, sometimes, the GFS gets a call that a vehicle is on fire at 02:00 hrs in the morning, with no one around, but they still have to respond, and in recent times, this has happened a lot.
The Fire Chief said there is also the burning of styrofoam and plastics which is very noxious and hazardous, noting that, while citizens are doing these things, the GFS cannot afford to sit back, and he challenged them to find other ways of disposing waste.
Gentle said there is also concern over the number of derelict edifices which have no resistance to flames and advised the owners to have them demolished and removed.
He appealed to citizens to be prudent, pay more attention to safeguarding their properties, pointing out that the general safety is in their own hands.
Gentle said he is, however, grateful to the government for the provision of services to the community, which reflects its interest in safeguarding citizens against fires.
