THE Fire Advisory Board, in collaboration with the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), yesterday held its second one-day fire prevention seminar at the Carifesta Sports Complex, on Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown. The purpose was to enlighten participants about fire safety and protection in their work environment.
Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Clement Rohee, in his address to the gathering, highlighted the role of the Board in assisting the GFS with the implementation of the Hinterland Strategic Plan for far flung interior locations that are rapidly developing as it relates to housing and buildings.
He said there is vast investment in the hinterland and, as such, there is a need for trained personnel in the areas to address fire safety and prevention.
Rohee called on the public to support the GFS and the Board in fire prevention for safer communities.
He advised the Board to heighten its awareness and education programmes to bring about fire safety and prevention countrywide.
In his remarks Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle reported that, this year, five more fires occurred as compared to 2010 and little attention is being paid to fire safety and prevention in businesses.
But he challenged businesses to practise good fire prevention and safety since carelessness is listed as the cause of most fires in which buildings and businesses are destroyed.
The Fire Chief said, although the role of the GFS is suppression and prevention, it needs the support of businesses and other organisations for a safer and fire free environment.
Ms. Liz Rahaman, who represented the GCCI President Komal Ramnauth, said 1,350 fires were recorded this year, 150 of which were caused by children, 60 by negligence and carelessness and 253 by electrical and faulty installations.

Destroyed
She said five businesses were destroyed by fire this year and most fires start because of poor safety prevention at business places, the lack of proper storage for materials, the non-maintenance of fire alarms and the non-existence of fire extinguishers and fire drills.
Speaking for one of the main sponsors, Hand-in-Hand Mutual Fire and Life Insurance Company representative, Mr. Howard Cox said he is pleased with the turnout and asked those who took part to endorse the culture of fire awareness.
He said:”We have recorded too many fires, most of which are caused by carelessness” and he urged the participants to exercise better fire safety and prevention practices, install fire extinguishers and train the staff to use them.
In welcoming the participants, Chairman of the Board, Mr. Raj Singh said the seminar was specially held to target the business community.
Explaining the functions of the Board, he said it was established under the Fire Prevention Act and resuscitated in 2009 as the terms were renewed.
Singh added that the main objective is to inspect premises and the services are free of cost, in relation to the GFS, providing assistance mostly in the inspection of premises and awareness on fire safety and prevention.
He noted that it is also tasked with drafting legislation and writing the fire prevention report which is submitted to Minister Rohee.
Singh said the Board, basically, inspects premises to see whether they are in compliance and, while it is the GFS that gives the deadline for them to comply, businesses can always appeal to the Board.