Dear Editor,

Once upon a time I was in the British Guiana Police Force and automatically was in the Fire Brigade. Unfortunately in those days none of us were sent on training courses. We had a British Fire Brigade Officer here to run the Fire Brigade. In Guyana today we have experts in every sphere, so you cannot suggest anything to these ‘experts,’ you are just a civilian. Take what happens at all fires: they run out of water and do not know the city canals, etc. It is only when they arrive at a fire that they start looking around for water. Fantastic! I suggested more than once to the Fire Chief that he should have a fifty thousand gallon tanker similar to those used by the petrol companies when they take petrol to Berbice, etc, attached to a tractor to follow the fire engines to the scene. Who are these people who sit around all day waiting for a fire call? They arrive on the scene of a fire and the hoses are leaking, and the engines have only so much water. Government just gave the Fire Department a brand new engine, so I hope they maintain it properly.

Now I believe the Fire Department has a team which goes around checking on buildings to see that they have fire extinguishers, etc. Have you ever tried to lift up one of these things? Try it! I must draw to your attention a tragedy/disaster just waiting to happen. It is a glaring case. I refer to the place in Waterloo and Church Streets called Globe Yard. Should this place go up in flames, Clairans, my property and beauty saloon and the whole square will be destroyed and hundreds of workers will be out of work. I have written to the Fire Chief twice before suggesting the use of the water tanker and the inspection of these premises, but nothing seems to have been done. I call on the Minister under whose portfolio this department falls to take immediate action. Millions of dollars worth in property are involved and we want action now. This is an emergency.

Yours faithfully,
Victor J. Fitt