Dear Editor,
While it’s commendable that almost 50% of the 800 fire hydrants have been refurbished, which would go a long way towards improving firefighting techniques, albeit ensuring a portable and reliable water supply is readily accessible. Editor, nevertheless a major factor that can’t be overlooked is the need for a more collaborative effort between relevant authorities of the GWI and the Guyana Fire Service. Whereby, in locating a fire within a specific area in Georgetown, fire hydrants are immediately identified, but towards ascertaining whether a 6-8 main services the area. Can the two major entities determine the location of the relevant valves, within a specific area? i.e. East- West; North-South. Suffice it to say, that with the demand for an increased pressure (psi) must be activated instantly, by virtue of increasing the flow to a designated area (fire) and reducing the amount of pressure to other areas. However, are the relevant valves operable, do they need servicing, or a complete overhaul?
In the final analysis, installing an 8-10-inch gate valve between the clarified and filtered water chambers, primarily for emergency purpose (firefighting) maybe in the interim is the most practicable solution, at this crucial juncture, since GWI can’t afford a separate/independent water network to aid firefighting. While we must forget the “ill conceived” utterance (s) of a former Minister of Social Communities, sourcing water from the Demerara River. Balderdash! What of salinity, mildly put salt content? This approach would have surely caused extensive damage to the firetenders internal pumps. By the way, is procuring a firefighting aquatic vessel, a front burner issue, in accordance to international maritime requirement (s)?
Respectfully Yours,
Lester Sealey
