The Guyana Fire Service’s (GFS) Annual Officers’ Conference started yesterday with the Home Affairs Minister stating that the gaps within its operations have to be identified and addressed.
The two-day conference is being held under the theme “Enhancing and modernizing the Guyana Fire Service through training, re-tooling, and public education.”
A release from the GFS said that the conference saw presentations from senior officers of the service and was attended by the Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn; Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Godfrey Bess; Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken; Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliott; Head of CANU, James Singh; Chief Fire Officer, Gregory Wickham, and other special invitees.
During his opening remarks, the release said that Wickham highlighted that in keeping with the theme the administration has placed a heavy emphasis on training.
He said that over 200 ranks recently received training in various areas, including middle management, heavy-duty training and defensive driving courses, among others.
The CFO further noted that there is a great need for public education, which the Fire Service is working sedulously to satisfy.
He said the deliberations coming out of the two-day conference are expected to provide the administration with a guide towards achieving their ten-point improvement plan.
Benn during brief remarks said that it is necessary to recognize the current gaps within the service in order to remedy them.
The release said that he also emphasized the expansion of the service in order to address the national challenge of protecting against fire, loss of life, destruction, and injuries related to fire.
He urged the administration to utilize its resources in the most effective way possible and to be prepared for the vast developments in infrastructure as the oil and gas sector continues to flourish.
The conference will continue today with further presentations and a team-building workshop for the officers.
