The ‘B’ Division Fire Department of the Guyana Fire and Rescue Service has adopted a proactive approach to fire fighting that is, fighting fires before they occur.
Recognising the power of knowledge, the fire department has embarked on a sensitisation drive. Buildings of large occupancy within the district have been identified and targeted for the exercise. Fire fighters, especially those who comprise the ‘first strike’ team are visiting places of large occupancy to inspect and assess their fire fighting capabilities with the aim of providing tips on how to improve those capabilities and how best to use them in case of a fire.
Additionally, the initiative is providing fire fighters with the opportunity to learn the layouts of these buildings so as to formulate potential rescue strategies/scenarios in the event of a fire. Among the places being visited are the New Amsterdam Prison, hospitals, hotels and schools which have large occupancies, as well as companies such as