GFS gets over $176M in new equipment to boost firefighting
The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) on Tuesday received more than $176.6 million worth of new equipment to further strengthen its search and rescue operations in the various regions of Guyana. This will create an organisation fit for the 21st century, the Government believes.
Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn hands over the keys to Fire Chief Gregory Wickham
The donation was made possible through Government spending and funds provided by UK company Angloco Ltd. The equipment which includes two ambulances, two water tankers and an airport rescue firefighting vehicle was handed over to the Fire Service by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The company also donated $28 million.
The ambulances will be deployed to Regions Three and Five, while the water tenders will be used within central Georgetown and along the East Bank corridor.
The airport rescue firefighting vehicle will be placed at the Eugene F Correia International Airport, Ogle, on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).
Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn hailed the donation as necessary.
He said for many years the Government was hoping for an upgrade in the GFS equipment to enhance its capabilities to bring better safety and security to the populace. It was also announced that an advanced training exercise is currently ongoing which will also strengthen the Emergency Medical Services to better serve the public.
“…With respect to persons who may need paramedical services from the emergency medical technicians, which is also a partnership between the Guyana Fire Service, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Ministry of Health. We have an arrangement with Vanderbilt university in the United States. They have been training our emergency medical technicians…”.
“… this new large one here (the airport rescue vehicle) is intended to bring the Correia International Airport to category four for aerodrome firefighting… the appliance we have had there had falling behind the standards…”, he said.
Meanwhile, the Fire Chief (ag) Gregory Wickham in expressing gratitude to the Guyana Government, assured that the vehicles will be utilised with professionalism and true commitment to duty.
