CHIEF Fire Officer Marlon Gentle has announced that, last Monday, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) embarked on a two-week training programme, which is being conducted by the British Fire Service.

He said it involved firefighting techniques and tactics in the National Park, Georgetown, yesterday, where 35 ranks underwent specialised training.
The firemen are also to be trained in investigation, through the programme that was solely funded by the GFS, in an effort to further boost and enhance capabilities and sharpen skills.
In the National Park yesterday, ranks were exposed to the various firefighting knowhow through demonstrations.
Last October 23, the GFS undertook special training by the French Fire Service through the French Embassy for Guyana in Suriname. That dealt with first aid since the GFS is mostly the first to respond to scenes of accidents and fires.
The Emergency First Responders, First Aid for road traffic accidents and other emergencies course, began on Monday and will conclude tomorrow.
So far, about 20 firefighters were trained.
The French programme is to assist Guyana and Suriname personnel in national security, police, fire, ambulance, prisons, prosecutors, magistrates.
Ongoing
Gentle said it has ongoing for four years and there will be follow-up training in France.
He said yesterday’s demonstrations include moving an unconscious victim to a recovery position, placing a victim on his stomach and lifting him on to a stretcher.
Gentle said today they will learn how to cut open a vehicle and extradite an injured occupant at an accident scene.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Fire Officer Winston McGregor added that the training will be of tremendous benefit to GFS.
He said firefighters are being trained to provide first aid until the more qualified medical personnel arrive.