The Guyana Fire Advisory Board today hosted its fourth outreach program under the theme “Fire Safety & Prevention starts with the people, let’s endeavor our goals through education.”

The outreach was specifically tailored for security personnel, aimed at educating and promoting fire safety awareness and prevention.

Home Affairs Minister, Hon. Robeson Benn during brief remarks highlighted a significant improvement in the Guyana Fire Service’s response. However, he noted that there are still many steps to undertake to further improve the Service as he reflected on some significant losses due to fire this past year.

Minister Benn said the GFS must convert to a fully capable service that ensures reduced physical injury and loss of life as a result of fire, and the related setbacks; loss of taxpayer’s monies or personal investment.

With the Oil and Gas Industry rapidly developing he stressed the need to enhance capabilities with the use of fire alarms, sprinkler systems, wet and dry riser installations, fire balls and extinguishers.

The Minister also pointed out the need for fire certification inspections and collaboration on awareness efforts by insurance companies to fully tackle the issue at hand.

In closing, he commended the Fire Advisory Board for the timely outreach and encouraged them to keep working on the issue of Fire Prevention and Safety.

Presentations were done by the Guyana Fire Service on fire safety and the use of fire extinguishers, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) on approved equipment, building materials and the various building codes, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the effects of fire on the environment and the Environmental Protection Act.

Following the presentations fire officers demonstrated the correct way to operate a fire extinguisher and attendees were given the opportunity to extinguish a small fire.