The Honourable Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Robeson Benn, moments ago held a muster parade with ranks from the Guyana Fire Service.
The muster, which was held at Durban Park, consisted of units from several fire stations across the Coast.
The short exercise was aimed at inspecting the Ranks’ Personal Protective Equipment (gears) and ensuring that all ranks are fully equipped to respond to fire and accident emergencies. While ensuring firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) are prepared as the busy Christmas season quickly approaches.
Minister Benn, during brief remarks, noted that ‘despite the inclement weather, when duties call, if there’s a fire or accident you have to be ready, you have to turn out and when you turn out you have to be prepared physically, mentally and be protected because we do not want to have injuries to our people or loss of life; therefore your training has to tie in with your gears, and you also have to keep renewing your knowledge, training and putting your ambitions out to get the job done, this is extremely important.
Minister Benn indicated that President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali had given continuous support to the development of the Guyana Fire Service. ‘The Government has stood behind by providing new kits, new fire stations countrywide and a new headquarter. Additionally, water tenders and ambulances.
In closing, Minister Benn stated, ‘this is our country, and we must recognize our people, ourselves, our diversity and how we want to see our country developed because it will be handed over to the future generations. Therefore you need to evaluate after every job and identify ways to improve.
Fire Chief Mr. Gregory Wickham noted that the event wasn’t called off because of the weather because, as all firefighter knows, ‘water is the most important tool to combat the sources of fire’.
This exercise is timely as the festive season approaches, and this exercise is significant because it allows us to have an understanding as to the level of preparedness as it relates to being fully cladded or geared for any eventually during this busy time. This will also allow us to take a strategic approach.
All senior officers and junior ranks attached to the Central Fire Station, Alberttown, West Ruimveldt, Campbellville, Melanie, Mahaica, Leonora, La Grange, Diamond, Eccles, Ogle and Timehri fire stations were present for the parade.
Separate parades were conducted in Anna Regina, Onverwagt, New Amsterdam, Corriverton, Rose Hall, Bartica and Linden.