– as GFS makes more timely responses – Marlon Gentle

CHIEF Fire Officer Marlon Gentle says that 113 private buildings and four Government buildings were involved in fires so far this year but the good news is that fewer buildings were destroyed, while more were just slightly damaged which would mean that the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has been more timely in their response.

In disclosing the statistics yesterday, the Fire Chief said that from January to June 2014 there has been a 15% decrease in the number of calls received by the GFS, which numbered 746 compared to 878 for the same period last year.

He stated that in 2013 there were a total of 96 private buildings involved in fires and eight Government properties.

MARKED DROP
So far for 2014 the GFS has seen a marked drop in property fires and a drop in motor vehicle fires. In 2013, they recorded that 26 vehicles were destroyed by fire with most being in malicious circumstances but in 2014 there has been only 22 vehicles destroyed by fire.

Gentle told this publication that there is also a decrease in fire calls and a slight drop in electrical fires, but an increase in outdoor fires because people have not been heeding warnings.

He observed that people are deliberately setting fires and leaving them unattended, as well as burning garbage in open land space. However, there is a drop in cases of children playing with matches and a slight decrease in arson fires.

Gentle said so far the fire statistics are not too bad as compared to last year.

And referring to the causes of dwelling house fires, Gentle said people have been taking too many chances overloading circuits and engaging in unsafe practices. However, he noted that there have been some amount of maliciousness involved since people are settling scores and there are also domestic and property dispute issues.

He reiterated that the GFS is here to stay and while they are doing their job to meet the demands of the public, at the same time people must adhere to fire safety practices.

NO PRANK CALLS
Gentle said with schools being closed soon for the vacation period, parents and guardians should find educational activities to occupy children rather than leave them unattended. In addition, he advised that children should be taught about fire safety practices in the home and cautioned against the use of phones to make prank calls to the GFS.

(By Michel Outridge)