President Irfaan Ali has indicated that the Guyana Fire Service is in need of substantial reorganization. During a recent press conference, he acknowledged that while there have been improvements in response times, the government is still not satisfied with the current level of efficiency.
Ali emphasized the necessity for modernization of the Fire Service, particularly as communities grow, buildings become taller, and new industrial risks emerge. He stated, “The Guyana Fire Service is a major area that needs massive reorganization.” As part of this initiative, the government has commenced a program to repair and install fire hydrants nationwide.
According to the President, over 25,000 hydrants are required, with several thousand already installed. The government plans to expedite the installation program over the next 18 months. Additionally, Ali announced the introduction of a smart dispatch system, GIS-enabled command rooms, integrated CCTV monitoring, digital incident tracking, real-time GPS fleet management, and drone coordination. These advancements are aimed at enhancing response capacity and improving management of fire emergencies.
Ali noted, “I know that we have a lot of questions on the current efficiency and response time, but it’s improved, I must say, looking at the numbers, tremendously.” However, he reiterated that the government is not content with the current state of the Fire Service.
Furthermore, Ali highlighted the need for new equipment to adapt to changing conditions, including rapid intervention vehicles, higher-capacity pumps, ladder trucks, and hydraulic platforms. He remarked, “We are not in a day where it is a two-storey house, you put up a ladder and you climb up anymore. You have to have these hydraulic platforms.” The President also pointed out new fire risks associated with the oil and gas sector, industrial expansion, and petrochemicals.
He mentioned that Guyana will require foam tenders, industrial rescue trucks, chemical containment units, specialized fire suppression systems, and additional training to address these emerging threats. Ali concluded by stating that technology will assist authorities in detecting leaks and other hazards before they escalate into major incidents, enabling the Fire Service to respond more effectively even with limited human resources.
Source: hgptv.com
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