AS the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) celebrates its 56th year of independence from the Guyana Police Force, Divisional Officer Compton Sparman revealed that, of the 237 fire calls to which the Berbice Division has responded, only three persons lost their lives, including 88-year-old Margaret London, who succumbed to a fire that razed her Islington Village, Greater New Amsterdam home on September 25 last.

Those fires have left 89 persons homeless, 24 buildings destroyed, two buildings severely damaged and 13 buildings slightly damaged. Consequently, 631 business places have been inspected.

HISTORY
Officer Sparman said the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) was born from an inquiry held following the performance of the fire service ranks after the infamous 1945 fire which resulted in the destruction of Georgetown. Started at the Guyana Stores Bond, that fire had quickly spread to other areas.
It was revealed that undisciplined police ranks had been assigned to the Fire Police Section, where they allowed themselves to become overweight and bloated, indulging only in sleeping and eating, because they were not exposed to any training exercise.
Accordingly, when fire struck at the Guyana Stores Bond, the overweight bodies, coupled with unserviceable appliances, resulted in massive destruction of property.
Consequently, on October 12, 1957, the Guyana Fire Service became separated from the Guyana Police Force [GPF], but could not work in isolation, as the GFS depends on the GPF to exercise crowd and traffic control during fires.

‘A THIEF IN THE NIGHT’
Pastor Courtney Adolph told ranks of the GFS Berbice Division to “be alert, be vigilant, be committed, and be ready at all times, as fire comes suddenly, as a thief in the night.”
Speaking at the Corner Stone Christian Brethren Church, the pastor reminded the ranks and other invitees that, in order for the GFS to perform effectively, its ranks must love what they are doing. “Whatever you do, it must be done as unto God, who is omnipresent, even if the officer-in-charge is not there. Give Honour to whom honour is due.
“Sometimes we feel we are more qualified than our superiors, and that we can do the job better. But I admonish you to esteem highly those who work amongst you. If you do it today, then someone will do it to you tomorrow,” he said.