Speaking at a press conference last Friday, Rohee said that within the strategic plan of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), there were calls for a station to be built at some mid-point on the East Coast. Mahaica was subsequently chosen as the area where the new station would be built, but Rohee did not say when works would begin.
The only chance residents on the East Coast stood of saving their burning homes was by forming bucket brigades, since the fire tenders would take some time to arrive.
A building identified for a fire service at Onverwagt had been equipped with a tender some time last year and had answered calls to various areas to contain grass fires. It is unclear if the tender is still in operation.
Meanwhile, Minister Rohee told reporters that later in the year fire stations at Bartica and Rose Hall would be commissioned.
Seventeen fire-fighting appliances made up of twelve water tenders, one aircraft rescue and fire-fighting vehicle, three water carriers and a Land Rover-type appliance were procured by the GFS last year.
The GFS continues to face challenges not only as a result of the current El Nino conditions but according to a statement from the Ministry, because of “the lack of appreciation on the part of some citizens of the need to take fire prevention into consideration when constructing their buildings and undertaking expansions.” This was a concern for the GFS during last year.
The projections for this year include more collaboration with Guyana Water Inc and the Housing Ministry to address the inadequate water supply and the construction of the Guyana Fire Service Training School.
During this year a proposed site will be identified for the relocation of the headquarters of the GFS and the Central Fire Station.
