OVER the next few days the Guyana Fire Service will be carrying out a number of activities in celebration of the 45th Fire Prevention Week, which commenced last Sunday with an Observance Church Service” at the Theatre Guild, Kingston.

An international observance, Fire Prevention Week 2019 is being celebrated from October 6 – 12. In Guyana it is being celebrated under the theme, “Save lives, protect property, strive towards a greener environment,” and activities will culminate on Friday, October 11, with a “Fire Safety Fair and Exhibition” at D’Urban Park. It will conclude on Saturday, October, with the commissioning of a fire boat.

Present at Sunday’s service was Fire Chief Marlon Gentle, who noted that while the GFS continues to see its challenges in fire prevention and safety, small strides are still being made. Gentle noted that the fire service has seen an increase in outdoor fires, which brings with them a number of environmental risks.

Notwithstanding continuous inspections and fire-safety recommendations, in Guyana the GFS continues to find it challenging for businesses to get in line to be compliant with general fire safety.

As such, Fire Prevention Officer Sheldon Sauns, explained that there will be many activities aimed at fire- prevention awareness and sensitisation, with a particular focus on businesses.

“You have some businesses who are not fully au fait with respect to the rules and regulations to general fire safety, more so the Fire Prevention Act 22:01. So it’s more like sensitising these persons on the dos and don’ts and to keep them abreast with the standards and rules and regulations that govern [fire safety]; in particular, persons who store flammable liquids or petroleum products, especially those who are unlicensed,” Sauns noted.

He adds: “We have person or persons who aren’t compliant with the law that governs fire prevention and safety, and this basically comes from the business community. From time to time we do go out to conduct inspections, and send recommendations, but these persons still do not comply with what is recommended. It’s because of one of two things: it’s either they’re adamant in not doing so, or they are just negligent in their approach towards general fire safety.”

In addition to businesses, Sauns said as much as is possible will be done to try and get the message out to the general public.
“We’re doing inspections to government buildings and private businesses. We’re also visiting and doing lectures at schools, we’re doing community outreach programmes, focusing on hinterland regions, places like Mahdia, Lethem, Mabaruma, Port Kaituma, and so on,” Sauns said.

“We also have a walk in aid of Fire Prevention Week. We’re also going to be doing some radio and television programmes; this will also deal with sensitising the general public as to the dos and don’ts with respect to general fire safety. Also slated to have a cleanup campaign around the general Stabroek Market area, coordinated by ourselves and some private stakeholders.”

Sunday’s church service saw performances by the GFS Choir, local singer Cherlyn Maloney and a sermon was delivered by Pastor Wilbert Lee.