Guyana Fire Service calls for enhanced public cooperation

The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) on Sunday called for increased public cooperation, which would enable it to effectively carry out its duties.
This call came from Divisional Officer of the GFS, Colin Sparman, after a fire truck, which was responding to a fire at Sophia, Greater Georgetown, almost toppled into a trench as it was attempting to manoeuvre its way around a car, which was parked in the middle of a street.

The fire truck which was stuck for several hours
The fire truck which was stuck for several hours

The fire truck reportedly became stuck for several hours and was unable to reach the scene of the fire.
When Guyana Times arrived on the scene, a bulldozer had to be called to assist in removing the truck.
Sparman, who was on the scene, told this publication that the GFS was urging the public to cooperate with firefighters, as it was difficult for the Service to adequately perform without the public’s assistance.
He noted that on several occasions, ambulances were unable to lend assistance because of the public’s reluctance to cooperate.
“This is sickening because we have to deal with this issue on a regular basis and it should not be so. The public needs to help us to do our work effectively. This is nonsense: this vehicle has been parked here since 2am,” Sparman remarked.
As a result of the GFS’s inability to reach the scene of the fire, the apartment building that was on fire was burnt to the ground leaving 10 homeless and $10 million in losses.
Sparman called this absurd, relating that the owner of the car which prevented the fire truck from accessing the fire scene showed up hours later to remove his vehicle.
As such, he reiterated the call for cooperation, assistance and understanding from the public, which would “no doubt be greatly appreciated by the Fire Service”.