GFS confronts alarming spike with 192 fire calls in January

A startling surge in incidents of fire during January 2024 has prompted heightened concerns, with the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) reporting a significant increase in calls compared to the same period last year.
Addressing the press, the Fire Chief underscored the urgency in addressing this rise, and detailed the broader accomplishments and challenges faced by the Fire Service.

Comparing January 2024 to the previous year, there has been a substantial escalation — from 92 to 192 — in fire calls. This alarming spike follows a pattern of increased fire incidents throughout 2023, when the country experienced a staggering 182.5 per cent rise in calls, reaching a total of 4181.
Fire Prevention Officer Sheldon Sauns has shed light on the root causes, identifying electrical issues as the primary culprit, supplemented by incidents of negligence. In response, he said, the Fire Service has intensified its community outreach exercises, home inspections, on-the-spot training, school visits, and increased presence on popular media platforms to educate the public on fire prevention measures.

“This is what we are doing currently, and the Guyana Fire Service will continue to deliver service with confidence as we partner with other stakeholders”, he said.
Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn has acknowledged the challenges faced by the Fire Service, including a 282 per cent increase in fire calls over the past year, and the persistence of malicious calls diverting crucial resources.
He reassured the public that, akin to what is ongoing in the Police Force, the Fire Service is undergoing a rebuilding process, and investments are being made to replace aging equipment and enhance firefighting capabilities.
“We are aware of the quality of the electrical appliances and the wiring and all that…”, Benn has said.
Benn has stressed the importance of efficient execution in the rebuilding process, urging those in high positions to ensure its success.

Earlier this month, $572.8 million was allocated to the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) in the 2024 budget, and the Government intends to construct four new fire stations at Charity, Parika, Soesdyke, and Wisburg.
In addition to the new fire stations, the Diamond Fire Station would be completed, while there would be extensions and rehabilitation of fire stations in Linden, Rose Hall, and Timehri.
As Guyana grapples with this surge in fire incidents, the Fire Service has said it remains committed to safeguarding the nation, and is actively working to educate the public on fire prevention measures and reinforcing the infrastructure for a safer future. (G9)