-Minister Walrond, Fire Chief praise investments made, efforts of firefighters behind the scenes
THE Guyana Fire Service (GFS) is celebrating its 69th anniversary, an occasion that was marked with the Route March on Monday, from the Square of the Revolution, along Brickdam, and concluded at Ashmin’s Building on High Street, Georgetown.
Delivering remarks, Chief Fire Officer Gregory Wickham reaffirmed the service’s commitment to protecting lives and property, and honouring the contributions made by past and present GFS ranks.
Chief Wickham said that the 69th anniversary should be celebrated, because through commitment, grit, stamina, love for job, people, and the will to ensure the citizens of our country enjoy safety from fires offered by the GFS.
The Fire Chief said, “I want to make it very clear to our citizens that we are here to serve you and to offer that, that our motto states, service with confidence and we have confidently been stepping out every time. One of our second-class mottos is when in doubt you turn out and so we always turn out, leaving in many instances our loved ones behind, turning out, donning our uniform and our PPEs just to ensure that the citizens of this country remain safe.”
Furthermore, he expressed sincere thanks to firefighters for their service, and commitment, noting that as the GFS forges into the future it is something that must be admired and given attention to.
He affirmed that this is the support of the Government of Guyana, ensuring that over the years the Fire Service is able to acquire new firefighting tenders, fire boats, sky lifts that would allow them to adequately be able to conduct their firefighting duties in the new high-rise structures being erected. This alone shows that the GFS is willing to advance, as the nation does.
“So as Guyana develops and the government of Guyana continues to contribute and support the Guyana Fire Service to acquiring of new assets, more assets, we will be better able to serve the people of this dear nation of ours,” Fire Chief Wickham said.
Also at the Route March was Minister of Home Affairs, Oneidge Walrond. Minister Walrond, according to a post on the ministry’s Facebook page, praised the professionalism, discipline and resilience of the men and women of the Fire Service, noting that their willingness to risk their lives to protect others deserves national recognition.
She highlighted strides being made by the government through investments that are aimed at reducing response times and minimising the loss of life and property, and addressed the GFS’s ability to contain fires, particularly in commercial areas where buildings are closely situated, and attributed containment of fires to better equipment, water access, and firefighting resources.
She highlighted the ongoing fire hydrant programme that involves the restoration of current hydrants and the installation of new ones as communities expand, improving access to water during firefighting operations.
While equipment and infrastructure remain important, the Minister stressed that the people behind the Service remain its greatest asset.
“The government has done tremendous investment in the assets, but our greatest investment has been in our young people and in the training,” she stated.
Minister Walrond also reaffirmed her appreciation for their service, stating, “Guyana is proud of our firemen and women, and we hope and pray that you continue to grow from strength to strength,”
