Three fire tenders commissioned
Some roads to be widened to accommodate them
Stabroek News
November 9, 2002
The fire-fighting capabilities of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) have been strengthened with the acquisition of three new fire tenders which were commissioned yesterday by Minister of Home Affairs, Ronald Gajraj.
At a ceremony held at the National Park, Gajraj told the fire- fighters that it was now incumbent upon them to ensure that the tenders remain in good working condition for a very long time.
Through a purchase agreement between the Guyana Government and a British company, Angloco the three tenders were acquired at a cost in excess of $130M. The tenders arrived in the country on October 22. The company sent a senior employee to train the local fire fighters as to how they should operate the tenders. Angloco representative David Branfit explained that each tender carries a 4,500-litre water tank which makes it capable of fighting a fire for up to 45 minutes. The tender also has a selection of equipment with facilities for road traffic accident rescues among others.
Branfit said "It was a pleasure working with your firemen, you have some excellent fire-fighters and I know you now have some excellent vehicles."
Gajraj said he was happy the fleet of fire trucks has been increased, "so we can now look towards the expansion of our service into areas in this country that have never before had the benefit of the national Fire Service."
He encouraged the fire-fighters to continue their training not only in the use of the new tenders but on a broader basis. He said many of the firemen have been exposed to training overseas and government is prepared to continue in that vein. He added that at this juncture the focus must also be on fire prevention rather than fire-fighting.
Gajraj said the GFS has recently gotten approval to increase its strength in terms of human resources and is actively pursuing that course. He mentioned that recruits are currently in training and the Alberttown Fire Station that had been out of operation for a number of years is now back in service.
Chief Fire Officer Carlisle Washington said that he is very pleased with the new tenders which would go a far way in boosting the Fire Service's fire fighting capabilities.
Speaking to the media after the ceremony, Washington said the Guyanese society has the misconception that it is the Fire Service's responsibility to provide water to fight fires.
"We have to understand that the fire service works in conjunction with other agencies like the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and the Guyana Power and Light Inc." He said that whenever a fire tender responds to a fire and the water finishes in the tank it depends on GWI to provide operable hydrants and the City Council for ensuring that the canals are properly de-silted and water is easily accessible. Washington said the three tenders would remain in Georgetown but the smaller tenders that are presently in the city would be transferred to other areas in the rural communities. Washington noted that the new tenders cannot be accommodated on small streets hence for the purpose of them responding promptly to fires some of the roads close to the central Georgetown station would have to be widened. (Nigel Williams)
