The Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday launched the Recruitment and Training Board of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) to review all training programmes and procedures to ensure that recruits can deliver professional service.
In his address at the function, Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee said, “The recruitment process and theprocedures for training ranks within the Guyana Fire Service have had room for improvement.” The Board comprises representatives from the ministry, the GFS and the private sector and has been charged with guaranteeing the improvement of standards.
A Government Information Agency (GINA) press release said it comprises a secretary and six members: Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle, Former Deputy Chief Fire Officer Randolph Alfred; Principal Personnel Officer in the Ministry of Home Affairs Debra Lewis and Coordinator of the Citizen Security Programme, Khemraj Rai.
According to the minister, the Board is well-balanced, well-represented and the ministry is confident of its ability to fulfil its mandate. The decision to establish a board was taken during a retreat held earlier this month with participants from the ministry and the GFS. The Board will review and make recommendations on all the persons selected for training programmes in order to ensure a high level of professionalism and efficiency at all levels of the GFS and to ensure transparency and equity in the selection of all applicants to be recruited. It is also expected to ensure that suitable training equipment is available for the programmes, to review all training programmes before they are implemented and to make recommendations to the Chief Fire Officer.
