The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has announced that 93 ranks including three women graduated on Monday after having successfully completed three months of intense training at its newly built training complex at Leonora, West Coast Demerara.
The recruits were introduced to both theoretical and practical skills throughout their training. They were also exposed to topics such as the organisation’s structure and the Standing Orders of the service, discipline, fire service equipment and their operations, fire behaviour and discipline, and other practical aspects, a report from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.
At the ceremony, Trevor Fraser copped the Best Student award, leading a list of illustrious students including Grace Paul, Best Runner-up; Celborne Rodney, Most Improved Student; Kawise Rice, Best Practical Knowledge Student and Roderick Hamilton, Best Drill Student.
Station Officer Clive McDonald said focus was placed on fire-fighting skills and boosting the capabilities of the fire fighters to enable them to save lives and minimise loss. While there were challenges, he said with much assistance from dedicated staff the recruits were able to conquer them as they all strived for excellence. In his address to the recruits, Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee urged them to exercise discipline, commitment, honesty and courage as they execute their duties.
Meanwhile, Fire Chief Marlon Gentle mentioned the importance of training, even as the fire service is advancing to become the premier emergency response service in the nation. “I say to you the recruits, that your task is a noble one and your functions are simple … first to save lives and then to protect property from destruction by fires,” he said. He also cautioned them against taking criticisms to heart, instead advising them to allow it to motivate them to do their best at all times.
Gentle also said that the new training facility had surpassed expectations as it was initially only able to accommodate 60 persons at one time. Now, it can boast a historic 93 graduates at one time.
