Minister Ramjattan calls for collective effort in Fire Prevention

This week the Guyana Fire Service will be conducting a number of activities countrywide in observance of the 42^nd Observance of Fire Prevention Week.

The theme for this year’s observance is ‘Fire Safety, A Collective Responsibility for the Preservation of Life and Property,’  and according to Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan, the theme aptly speaks to the heart of what is required from all Guyanese if the war on unwanted disastrous fires is to be won.

The Minister in his message reminded that every fire loss brings with it, economic, psychological, emotional as well as social trauma, not only for the victims but also for the country as a whole.

For this year to date 75 buildings have been destroyed by fire and 17 severely damaged.

Most of these fires, the Minister informed involved dwelling houses, which resulted in the loss of 24 lives while a number of persons were left homeless.

He informed that this year the Government will invest thirty million dollars to begin the first phase of two new fire stations at Melanie Damishana on the East Coast of Demerara and Lethem in Region 9.

Some eighty -three million dollars will be spent acquiring more fire tenders and water bowsers.

The Ministry of Public Security is partnering with the Ministry of Public Health to expand the Emergency Medical Services utilizing a larger fleet of Ambulances and personnel to cover the length of Guyana, with the First Phase becoming operational in November.

In addition, the Auxiliary Arm of the Guyana Fire Service will be activated to give support to the Regular Fire Service when necessary.

Minister Ramjattan reinforced that citizens desist from stealing or tampering with electricity, leaving young children alone at home with access to items such as matches or lighters and leaving cooking activities unattended among others.

He said too that an expanded public campaign has been launched with the aim of reaching more persons in the country through the different Media and it is projected that these programmes will bear fruit.