Ten persons have been killed so far in fires this year and 227 left homeless.
In a message to mark fire prevention week, Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee said the Guyana Fire Service is undergoing a continuous expansion programme and will soon benefit from more tenders and water tankers
Rohee said to date 10 persons including five children have died as a result of fires while 227 persons have been left homeless. Eighty-seven buildings were ravaged and 23 others severely damaged. These fires were caused by unsafe practices including children being left unattended, unsafe use of electricity, theft of electricity as well as arson.
In order to stem these occurrences, the fire service is hosting a number of sensitisation activities under the theme ‘Fire prevention is everyone’s business’. The minister said Guyana can ill-afford the loss of its human and other resources due to fire.
“Each of us can take precautions in our homes to safeguard our loved ones from the hazards of fire. Parents and guardians should also take the time to discuss and practice emergency plans with children in the event of a fire,” he said. Additionally, he cautioned persons to ensure that all electronic appliances and heating units are plugged in and operated properly and unplugged when not in use. “With responsible use of fire indoors and outdoors – from safely disposing of matches and cigarettes ends, we can avoid the vast numbers of emergencies, injuries, and lives lost to fire and its consequences,” Rohee said.
The fire service hosted sensitization activities informing citizens about the dangerous and destructive consequences of fire, particularly as the nation is experiencing a ‘dry spell’ during which there is an increase in the number of grass/bush fires. These fires often occur by spontaneous ignition and sometimes they are deliberately set by persons unaware of the danger the pose to the well-being of others.
Fire prevention week also draws attention to the lifesaving work of fire-fighters. “These courageous professionals are on the scene during an emergency, fearlessly entering smoke-filled buildings even as people who are able to, rush out of them,” the release noted. The GFS has provided 55 years of fire protection service to the nation. Over these years the number of ranks and fire stations have increased.
Rohee said the fire service is undergoing a continuous expansion programme. The Diamond Fire Station is soon to be completed and a new training facility is under construction at Leonora. The Hinterland community fire prevention programme is being drafted where several areas; Lethem, Mahdia, Kwakwani, Mabaruma, Kumaka and Port Kaituma, will soon be equipped with fire fighting capabilities. In addition, the GFS will be receiving additional tenders and water tankers to boost its current fleet.
According to Rohee, government also plans to resuscitate the ambulance service. Consideration is also being given to restarting marine fire fighting capabilities.
One serious problem for firefighting in recent years has been the large number of non-functional fire hydrants. Rohee did not address this in his message.
