‘Community focus needed’ – Fire Chief

Fire safety and preventative actions need a community-level focus, according to Fire Chief, Gregory Wickham, who added that the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has made tremendous progress by training citizens about these matters.

Fire Chief Wickham delivered remarks this week at the 2025 Senior Officers’ Conference is being held under the theme “Fostering Community Collaboration for Enhanced Emergency Response.” He spoke about nationwide sensitisation programmes being conducted in communities.

“It is important that we have members in our communities educated, hence the Fire Service would have ventured into having many community outreaches across the country and particularly to deal with the education of our children,” the Fire Chief said.

Beyond its edification programmes, the Fire Service also responded to some 5,000 calls related to fires. Its Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) responded to 10,000 calls and to date, the EMTs were involved in the delivery of some 19 babies.

In 2024, the GFS strengthened its ability to combat fires by acquiring bronto skylifts and helibuckets. Beyond its improved equipment, there was focus on workplace inspections. According to Wickham, the Fire Service takes its national responsibility seriously.

“We will continue to embrace our national pledge, our national call because every citizen is important to us and their lives and their belongings, we will not stop these sorts of engagements, we will not stop the trainings, we will not stop the interactions, we will not stop the fire prevention and fire safety inspections,” Wickham said.

In keeping with this year’s theme for the conference, the Fire Service will maintain its focus on community level responses to fires and emergencies. Additionally, the Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn has encouraged the GFS to work as a cohesive unit with its partners and other emergency agencies.