AFTER seeing her neighbour’s house on fire as a child, Marcia Broomes, early in her life, made the decision to become a member of the Guyana Fire Service, an agency she later served, with distinction, for 30 years, retiring as a divisional officer.

Broomes’ years of service to the Guyana Fire Service were recently celebrated by ranks of the Berbice Divisional Headquarters in New Amsterdam. The outstanding female firefighter was given a march-past and salute from her colleagues.

Among those in attendance were New Amsterdam Mayor, Winifred Haywood, along with representatives from the New Amsterdam Municipal Constabulary, the Prison Services, the Post Office and the COFONA Band.

Born on September 21, 1964, Broomes joined the Guyana Fire Service on April 10, 1989, and was promoted to the rank of leading firewoman in 1993.

A subsequent transfer from the New Amsterdam Station on August 10, 1997, brought much pain and tears, as she was forced to leave her then four-year-old daughter and one-year-old son behind in the care of her extended family.

However, that move, though challenging, became an opportunity for career development which exposed her to an in-depth knowledge of the fire service which later propelled her to Section Leader and Subordinate Officer.

“From that challenge, I learnt to adapt to changes within this organisation and in my life,” she posited.

In October 2005, she was again transferred to Leonora Fire Station, West Demerara to take command there, and three years later, was transferred to the Operational Section at the Central Fire Station.

A promotion to the rank of station officer in 2008, led her to the Administrative Department, and two years later she was designated accountant within the Finance Department, a position she served in for three years.

In 2013, Broomes returned to the Administration Department as the second officer in command, and subsequently officer-in-charge at Central Fire Station, after she obtained the rank of divisional officer.

In October 2017, the mother of two received instructions from the chief fire officer to proceed to Berbice Division; it was her last posting.

Broomes, in her farewell speech, urged the ranks to prepare their minds to adapt to changes whenever they experience them.

“Be humble and discipline at all times. Wear your uniform with pride. Demonstrate strong leadership and administrate without fear, no matter the circumstances. Always embrace the highest level of professionalism in execution of your duties and apply yourself to practise what you have learnt in such a way that the completion of your task causes you to rise in excellence,” she said.

Ranks were also admonished to perform their duties in a manner that the public will maintain its faith and trust in the Guyana Fire Service.
Broomes, who hails from Number 28 Village, West Coast Berbice, told Guyana Chronicle that she has no regrets joining the fire service.

“I faced many challenges. I was victimised. People spoke against me but I put all in God’s hands. I held on to the Biblical scriptures which said, ‘Fear not, for I am with you. I will go before you. I would be your God and I will fight for you’. Those words kept me. And I am here still standing,” she said.

Broomes has committed the next chapter of her life to her family, who had supported her through the years.