Camp Street Prison fire incident: 36 new recruits complete firefighting training

Following the alarming fire that occurred at the Camp Street Prison on September 9, the Guyana Prison Service (GPS), in taking steps to prevent future disasters, has had 36 recruits successfully complete a 5-day firefighting training exercise facilitated by the Guyana Fire Service (GFS).
Conducted under the supervision of Fire Station Officer Delbert Pitt of the Leonora Fire Station in Region Three, the training was aimed at equipping new officers of the GPS with the necessary skills to respond swiftly and effectively in the event of a fire.
This initiative comes on the heels of a harrowing incident that occurred at the Georgetown Prison at Lot 12 Camp Street in Werk-en-Rust, where a fire was started at the three-storey penal facility. According to reports, an inmate ignited a mattress using a lighter, and it caused a blaze that injured two prisoners.
Christopher Stanley, 25, suffered second-degree burns, while Delon Blake, 35, received first-degree burns on his upper right shoulder.

Although that fire had been quickly contained, the event underscored the urgent need for enhanced fire response measures within prison facilities. The swift actions of the prison officers, who used three dry chemical extinguishers to douse the flames before fire crews arrived, prevented greater damage.
This firefighting training concluded on Friday, and it was part of the GPS’s Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC), which began on July 29. Acting Director of Prisons, Kevin Pilgrim, explained that the firefighting module is critical in ensuring that new officers are not only equipped to manage prison operations, but can also act quickly in fire emergencies.
The training included both theoretical and practical firefighting skills, ensuring that recruits are well-versed in the fundamentals of fire prevention and suppression.
In addition to firefighting, the recruits are undergoing a comprehensive 12-week training programme designed to prepare them for various aspects of prison management, including basic security procedures, the historical development of the GPS, and inmate supervision.
Pilgrim noted that these efforts are part of a broader strategy to fortify the GPS with high-quality officers who are capable of maintaining order and safety in the prison system. Given the potential risks posed by fires in correctional facilities, the integration of firefighting skills into the training programme is seen as an essential move to enhance the overall preparedness of prison personnel.