GUYANA Health and Safety Foundation, established two years ago, is about to start two new fire prevention programmes, in an effort to curb the spate of outbreaks countrywide. Spokesman for the non-governmental organisation (NGO), Mr. Darwin Bourne said one programme will target schoolchildren in Georgetown and hinterland regions and focus on evacuation drills.
He said one primary purpose of promoting safety awareness in schools is to ensure that children as well as their teachers are better equipped to cope also with other emergencies.
“We are trying to reduce the number of deaths caused by fires, as most of the time they are caused by children playing with matches,” Bourne said.
He added: “We hope that the children will, in turn, impart the knowledge gained to their parents at home.”
The second course, an intermediate fire prevention seminar, will be geared to reach persons who have had previous training in the field and cover investigation and inspection, Bourne said.
He said the aim of the instructional seminars and the training in schools are to offer citizens a better insight and equip them with the basic knowledge of how to deal with not only fires, but other situations of emergency, as well.
Bourne emphasised the importance of community involvement to lessen the impact of disasters, noting that lives are affected by them, either directly or indirectly and a collaborative effort is needed.
He exhorted the Private Sector to get involved in the undertaking as a matter of national interest.
Education Officer, Ms.Baramdai Seepersaud pointed out that health and safety classes are on the curriculum and available at all levels of the school system.
Both programmes are entirely sponsorship organised and scheduled to begin in September.