Five fire-fighting units were yesterday handed over to the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) by the Ministry of Home Affairs in a ceremony at the National Park.

They include three water tenders, a water carrier and a land rover.

The five fire-fighting units (GINA photo)

Addressing Fire Service ranks, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee said that prior to 1992; the Fire Service’s response to fire was low and recognizing the deficiency, government embarked on a venture to retool the entity to meet the challenges faced in the ongoing expansion of housing and commercial sectors, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

GINA said that Rohee indicated that Government will continue to work closely with the GFS to ensure that their response capabilities are in keeping with their strategic expansion plan and their mission to reduce the loss of life and damage to properties caused by fire.

“In keeping with the GFS’s expansion plan, new stations have been built at Bartica and Rose Hall Town. This year $318M was allocated to the GFS for the purchase of 17 fire-fighting appliances and equipment”, the release stated.

Meantime, Rohee also said that the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri will soon benefit from a fire-fighting rescue aircraft and other structural appliances.  All this, he said, is part of Government’s plan to combat the changing weather patterns.

This year’s budgetary allocation will be used to upgrade and purchase new equipment, expand training and other educational subventions and maintain fire stations, GINA reported.