Investments in firefighting equipment, new stations and improved water access are helping the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) respond faster to emergencies and prevent fires from spreading, Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond said on Monday.
Speaking after a route march in Georgetown to mark the Service’s 69th anniversary, Walrond said government spending on fire tenders, trucks and a fireboat was intended to reduce response times and protect lives and property.
“It’s not just so we could have a glorious parade,” she remarked.
The Minister pointed to the recent fire at a children’s home in Sophia, saying firefighters from the new Campbellville Fire Station arrived in under two minutes. She credited the station’s proximity with enabling a swift response that helped avert potentially catastrophic consequences. No injuries were reported.
Walrond also highlighted improvements in containing fires in commercial districts, where closely situated buildings can allow flames to spread rapidly.
Recalling fires along Regent Street that once swept across entire blocks, she attributed better containment to upgraded equipment, access to water and other firefighting resources.
An ongoing hydrant programme is supporting those efforts through the restoration of existing hydrants and the installation of new ones as communities expand, she said.
However, Walrond stressed that equipment and infrastructure alone could not account for the Service’s ability to respond to emergencies.
“The government has done tremendous investment in the assets, but our greatest investment has been in our young people and in the training,” she stated.
The Minister praised firefighters’ professionalism, discipline and resilience, saying their willingness to risk their lives for others deserved national recognition.
Having witnessed emergency responses firsthand, Walrond said the anniversary provided an opportunity to acknowledge the sacrifices of personnel who routinely face danger while protecting people and property.
Monday’s march began at the Square of the Revolution and continued along Brickdam, where ranks delivered the traditional “Eyes Right” salute to the Minister. It concluded at Ashmin’s Building on High Street.
“Guyana is proud of our firemen and women, and we hope and pray that you continue to grow from strength to strength,” Walrond told the ranks.
