The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) is getting ready to build a Fire Station in Wismar, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) soon. This was announced by Region Ten’s Fire Commander, Courtney Springer.
Cummings in an interview with another section of the local media said that it is his hope that with the new stations the Linden Fire Service will be able to provide a rapid response to any emergencies that arise.
“I am fighting along with the personnel for Linden extremely hard to get this fire station over the river. So far, we are at a phase of procurement of the land; we have sent a budget and hopefully next year we will have a fire station over the river…”.
Region Ten’s Fire Commander, Courtney Springer
The fire commander said they are currently awaiting the funds to be approved for the commencement of the building. Commander Springer said that there has been 20 property fires in Linden for this year so far.
“It is important to have a fire station over the river, we had five vehicles and 15 buildings that caught fire for the year. That is reasonable for the year because normally we would get more fires than that”.
He said for the last two years, firefighters in Linden have been working very hard to reduce the number of fires that usually occur yearly.
“Most of these fires occur over the river and by the time we get there the building is being destroyed. This is most times because of the traffic congestion, and the bridge, and by the time we reach the distance, it takes to reach the scene of the fire the building is destroyed”.
“The terrain and accessibility by the fire service is another issue we find these things difficult…”, he explained.
Cummings said they are also lobbying to see if they can get a fireboat and a hydraulic platform to boost fire fighting in the region.
“At present, we have a new fire tender, making it now three that we have. But, the other two are not all that operable. It is like 50 to 60% deficient…”, he said.
Just recently, the Guyana Fire Service commissioned the Eccles Fire Station which is located at, Nandy Park East Bank Demerara. The station was completed at a cost of approximately $37.8 million.
That Fire Station would provide fire and rescue services to persons living on the East Bank of Demerara from Agricola to Providence, and would lend support to residents of West Demerara.
Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn during the launching said that it is the intention of the Government to establish fire stations throughout the country with the ability to respond to the challenges of fire, search and rescue, along with security and safety. (G9)
