Having served the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) for the past 36 years, Fire Chief Marlon Gentle has gone into retirement thus handing over the mantle to Kalamadeen Edoo. On Wednesday, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn and Permanent Secretary Mae Thomas bid farewell to the stalwart during a simple ceremony at the GFS headquarters.
Retired Fire Chief Marlon Gentle hands over the ceremonial colours to Kalamadeen EdooHome Affairs Minister Robeson Benn along with Permanent Secretary Mae Thomas and outgoing Fire Chief Marlon Gentle with other senior ranks of the Guyana Fire Service
Minister Benn thanked Gentle for his dedicated service to Guyana, and for leaving the GFS with an overall improved outlook, inclusive of better systems, more assets, and better services, from what he inherited.
The Minister believes that the Ministry has a responsibility to ensure a better life than what they would have inherited is passed on to the next generation.
Benn further encouraged the firefighters to continue to build, optimise and improve their service to Guyana.
In his brief remarks, Gentle challenged the firefighters to do better than him, to be their brothers’ and sisters’ keeper and to listen to each other. He stated that there is no “I” in the team that is the Guyana Fire Service.
He also charged the officers to support the new leadership of the GFS and to remember the requisite and prerequisite of discipline which is “obedience to your superiors and consideration for your subordinates”.
Gentle further expressed his gratitude to Minister Benn and recalled the many occasions that the Minister assisted him in his work as a firefighter.
Such assistance was provided during the 2005 floods, the St Joseph Mercy Hospital fire, and other fires on Regent Street, Georgetown.
Gentle, a national awardee (Disciplinary Service Medal), in the presence of Benn and the Permanent Secretary handed over the ceremonial colours to Kalamadeen Edoo, who will now take the helm of the Guyana Fire Service.
