Alarming upsurge in fires in Guyana matter of concern – Minister

Owing to the alarming upsurge in fires in Guyana, the Fire Advisory Board invited representatives from security agencies and companies to attend a session on fire safety, protection, prevention, and safety in general on Wednesday.
At the meeting, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, during his address, said that other than the loss of properties owing to fire, the issue of loss of life is another concern. He said most times this went unnoticed, and there was a need for restructuring.

“We have to go around what research we need to create and establish beyond the question of mitigation and prevention, how to support the losses due to fire, particularly in domestic affairs. We need to talk more about prevention, we need to speak more about safety and security that goes along with it,” the Minister said.
Benn added that there also should be an improvement in the response to fire by the Guyana Fire Service.

“Not to say we have not had significant improvement in the Fire Service… but, in response to our 10-point plan across the agencies of the Ministry, we have many more steps to undertake to have improvements and to ensure that the public is aware of the improvements that we have to make…,” the Minister said.
Benn said that it was critical for this innovation of the Fire Advisory Board to bring awareness to the issue of fire.
“We have the questions of upping the levels of fire inspections at commercial buildings; particularly, we need to bring awareness to children being left alone…one particular issue which we seem to be a bit behind in appreciating is electrical safety,” he noted.
Benn underscored that having smoke alarms was important, and they should be in every home.
Meanwhile, Fire Advisory Board Chairman Ramesh Sugrim said that Guyana was taking off rapidly and, therefore, safety was paramount.
“Our security skill is paramount and our fire safety skill is also important, because we need to protect our assets…we will now shift from the normal watchman style of our security level… persons now have to be more alert and develop their skill,” he said.
Earlier this year, Minister Benn had called for awareness and better equipment to conduct firefighting in Guyana, noting the use of fire sprinkler systems, high-rise systems, and quality electrical installations.
The Minister said that the development of the oil and gas industry and overall development of the country would mean new challenges with regard to firefighting.
As such, he noted that there was a need for highly-skilled personnel to be present on vessels and onshore at various developmental projects. (G9)