GFS partners with UK company to modernise fire-fighting capabilities

Government has announced plans to retool, retrain, and better equip the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) in a bid to ensure its capabilities match Guyana’s current growth.
This will be facilitated through various initiatives, including a continuing partnership between the Guyana Government and Angloco Limited – one of the United Kingdom’s oldest manufacturers of fire engines. Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn made this disclosure on Thursday during the opening ceremony of the 5th Annual Senior Fire Officers’ Conference.
According to Benn, the venture was initiated by President Dr Irfaan Ali for the provision of modern fire-fighting equipment such as airport rescue firefighting trucks, water tenders, ambulances, and breathing apparatus, among other things. These are being acquired taking into consideration that there is much more work to be done to significantly improve the operations of the GFS, and this is being undertaken.

“We’re out of discussions with the UK and Angloco. We are being retooled with several firetrucks and other assets to bring the Guyana Fire Service into a better position to respond to the issues of fire in a more expert and a more experienced way,” Benn disclosed in his address. “We are looking forward to their continued collaboration with the other services, such as the Police Force, the Defence Force and the Guyana Prison Service, in addressing their challenges,” the minister added.
Minister Benn noted that there is a pressing need to strengthen the capabilities of the Fire Service; however, he acknowledged the work of the Fire Service, even during challenging circumstances.
“We’re building new fire stations. We’re building new Fire Headquarters. We’re talking about doing one now at Parika, a new fire station. We have a Wales Fire Station waiting to be fully occupied for the Wales oil and gas development there,” he said.
Meanwhile, Acting Chief Fire Officer Gregory Wickham pointed out that the Fire Service has embarked on a strategically crafted plan, one that would ensure the agency remains relevant to the ever-changing environment. On this point, he disclosed that numerous fire safety and prevention information campaigns have been conducted in communities and municipalities across Guyana, all geared towards better-equipping citizens with basic fire prevention measures and information.
Further, he added that, over the years, they have been building capacity not only within the service, but also with external agencies that have lent support over the years. However, he explained that upon assessing the needs of the nation with the pace of growth, more strategic planning and out-of-the-box thinking are necessary to ensure that the Fire Service is up to par and communities are educated about fire safety and prevention.
“We are focused on ensuring that every citizen (knows) of the hazards and what necessary equipment or tools they can use to prevent those hazards from leading or becoming fires. And so we are going into each community, each station would have to commence from January engagements with communities,” Benn explained.

Budget
The sum of $90.6 billion was set aside in this year’s fiscal package for the security sector, the sum of $30.3 billion for the Guyana Police Force, and $6.5 billion for the Guyana Fire Service and the Guyana Prison Service. Additionally, a total of $2 billion has been earmarked to advance and expand the use of integrated systems designed to enhance surveillance and deter potential criminal activities. These activities will work hand-in-hand with efforts to ensure ranks within the disciplined services undergo local and regional training.
Moreover, in 2024, infrastructural investments include the completion of the Diamond Fire Station and the construction of additional fire stations at Charity, Parika, Soesdyke and Wisburg, as well as the extension and rehabilitation of fire stations in Linden, Rose Hall and Timehri.