The Guyana Fire Service capacity has been expanded with new firefighting equipment that was procured by the Government and handed over on Tuesday by the Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn.
The equipment list includes two new ambulances for the paramedic services totaling $19M and a new water tender worth $12M.
Minister Benn said this will boost the capabilities of the Guyana Fire Service as it is critically needed. He said, "We are greatly interested in preventing, in mitigating the occurrences of fire and also in the rescue services with respect to persons who may need paramedical services from Emergency Medical Technicians."
An airport rescue firefighting truck was also handed over to the Fire Service which was procured at $146M.
This brand new truck will be stationed at the Eugene Correia International Airport at Ogle, the busiest regional airport in the Caribbean.
"The frequency of flights is extremely high and we need to have the readiness, the capability and the engagement in respect to responding to questions of the possibility of an incident involved in fire and or rescue at Ogle,” Minister Benn posited.
Meanwhile, acting Chief Fire Officer, Gregory Wickham thanked the government for responding to their request so they can execute their duties in a professional manner.
He said the two ambulances will be stationed in Regions Three and Five and the water bowser will be stationed in central Georgetown. The two water tenders will be in Diamond and other areas.
Wickham noted” we want to offer a service this nation that is of exceptional quality and that is what we're called to do. So, we're better prepared with these appliances to offer that service."
Very shortly, Angloco Limited will be providing assistance in relation to the maintenance and rehabilitation of assests.
