THIS week we are observing National Fire Prevention Week; this year will be thirty 37 years since Fire Prevention Week is being observed in Guyana. The theme for this year’s observance is “Practice Fire Safety for Better and Safer Communities”. During this week, the Guyana Fire Service will be intensifying its efforts in promoting fire safety with a number of public awareness programmes and activities. These will include radio and television programmes and outreach fire safety fairs, targeting school children and youths, along with residents around the country. Community interactions in a number of communities will also be undertaken by the Guyana Fire Service.
This year’s theme, “Practise Fire Safety for Better and Safer Communities”, must serve as a constant reminder that we have to actively be involved in doing things which will prevent fires and make our communities safer.
For this year, 90 buildings were destroyed, while twenty nine 29 others were severely damaged, with the loss of eight precious lives and 681 persons left homeless.
Approximately 12 % of the actual fires responded to by the Guyana Fire Service were suspected to have been set by arsonists, 16 % of fires in the country is caused by children who were left unattended at home by their parents, playing with matches. Stealing of electricity is also a significant cause of fires this year. I call on all right-thinking persons to report all incidents of attempted arson within their communities.

Of great concern to the Fire Service is the number of fires that are electrical in origin. Investigations reveal that a large percentage of electrical fires are as a result of persons using illegal connections to the electrical distribution system. I would like to issue a call to all those who pursue this dangerous practice to desist from doing so.
The countrywide expansion programme by the Guyana Fire Service is aimed at providing reliable and efficient services to newly established communities. This expansion includes the recently established Fire Stations at Rose Hall, Central Corentyne Berbice, Bartica Station, Essequibo and Onverwagt, West Coast of Berbice. A fire station at Mahaica on the East Coast Demerara is in its final phase of construction, and soon a new Fire Station will be established at Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara. Moreover, the construction of a Training Complex at Leonora on the West Coast of Demerara has commenced. This training facility will enhance the firefighting skills and professionalism of members of the service.
The Guyana Fire Service has been vigorously pursuing its hinterland fire protection programme. The areas to benefit from this programme are Lethem in Region 9, Mahdia in Region 8, Kwakwani in Region 10 and Mabaruma/Kumaka and Port Kaituma in Region 1.
Let me use this opportunity to commend the officers and ranks of Timehri Fire Station for their professionalism in the way they responded to the recent aircraft crash involving 163 lives at the Cheddie Jagan International Airport Timehri
The timely response by this branch of the Guyana Fire Service certainly displayed the high level of commitment and dedication of these ranks; we are all aware of the catastrophic damage that was averted.
It is also apposite to mention the response by the Linden Fire Unit to a recent fire at Linden Multilateral School. This fire could have caused severe damage to the education system in Linden, which could have resulted in the displacement of students and teachers.
The recent fires at Hadfield and Durban Streets and the Transport and Harbours storage bond at Water Street are indications of the high level of firefighting skills possessed by members of the Guyana Fire Service; had these recent fires not been brought under control in a timely and effective manner, they would have had a negative impact on our economy.
The Ministry of Home Affairs calls on all citizens to adhere to good and proper fire safety measures so as to assist in the reduction of fires in their communities. Community involvement is the first step towards preventing fires, and must be encouraged. It is our duty to practice fire safety eliminating or reducing the threat of fire from our homes and business.
In observing Fire Prevention Week 2011, let me use the opportunity to call on all Guyanese to participate meaningfully in the week’s activities.
It is my fervent hope that all citizens would adhere to good fire safety practices and endeavour to make their communities safer from fires.

Thank You
Clement Rohee
Minister of Home Affairs