A new $37m fire station was yesterday commissioned at Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn reminded fire-fighters that they must always be “ready, responsible, capable and engaged” as the responsiveness to fires has always been an issue which they should not fail at.
“The ability in responding relates not only to getting a new building like this…but it relates to the engagement, the alacrity, the responsiveness of those who are trained fire-fighters and this has to always be a question, this has been an issue which we must not fail at. We must exemplify our training and identify our engagement of this noble profession. We have to be ready, responsible, capable and engaged always,” Benn said while delivering the feature address at a ceremony which was held to commission the fire station.
The single-flat concrete structure is situated opposite the Eccles Nursery school.
The contract was awarded to Kawall Ramdeen of Kawall Ramdeen General Construction and Office furnishing. Construction commenced in June, 2021 and concluded in December, 2021.
The building consists of four living quarters for male and female firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), several washrooms, a control room, three office areas and a kitchen and lunch area.
There is also an external storage facility for the fire service equipment.
As of now, one fire tender is designated to the Eccles Fire Station. However, plans are in place to have the EMT and ambulance services added to the facility.
During his address, Benn reiterated the Government’s commitment to the protection of life and property from destruction by fire.
He urged firefighters who are not willing to demonstrate their training to resign from the profession. “If we have not paid attention to the fact that taxpayers’ money has been invested into the training and to the fact that it is indeed a disciplined service, we have to be always ready and engaged and responsive…..If we cannot do that….. I invite any firefighters or EMT to resign and I am prepared to sign the document related to that,” he said.
According to Benn, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has a “great lot” of identifiable human resources but “we cannot lose our heads either in the moment or while we are supposed to be at a duty station”.
“We cannot lose our heads. We will must not lose our heads. We must have good leadership and we must have proficient engagement about fires, to bring a situation under control and we must be able to have the required empathy to provide the support to persons who are affected by fire,” he said.
He said training has been enhanced while noting that the Government recently held a meeting with the Barbados Minister of Home Affairs during which an agreement was made for the GFS to utilize their specialised fire-fighting facility in Barbados.
Other challenges which the GFS is currently faced with include access to some areas, Benn said.
On another note, Benn said that the issue of the lack of diversity has to be dealt with in the disciplined forces including the GFS. “The fire service and all the other services have to look like Guyana….We have to get over the negativity at our discourse, both at the community level and the social level and particularly at the political level to get over the history,” he stated.
The new fire station will provide service to Eccles, Agricola and Providence and the Demerara River and any other activity that warrants the support on the West Demerara or the West Bank district.
During brief remarks, Fire Chief (ag) Gregory Wickham emphasized that over the years, the Government has been supportive to the GFS particularly in establishing fire stations and having the relevant firefighting appliances available. “..So that we will be able to execute our duties with that efficiency, with that level of professionalism that will gain the respect of the members of the public,” he said.
The establishment of the new facility, Wickham said provided the GFS with the opportunity to ensure that with the monies expended on the structure and firefighting appliances, the service will be “above board”.
Over the past two years, Wickham said the government has presented the GFS with no less than eight fire tenders.
“You can expect us to offer that level of service that would be very professional. When it is possible, when the need arises, feel free to call the Guyana Fire Service, so that we can offer you a service that we are called by our profession to do,” he said.
Benn said presently works are ongoing to restore and rehabilitate a total of 156 fire hydrants across Georgetown at “enormous” expense.
In addition, he said a new set of fire hydrants will be received to be installed in the expanded/new housing communities.
