Firefighters receive special training from UK specialists

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, April 5, 2018

Firefighters from the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) last Sunday were exposed to more specialised training on fire prevention and containment. The exercise conducted at the Leonora Fire is aimed at building the capacity of the GFS, held at the Leonora Fire Station.

The training was carried out by the United Kingdom, Fire Risk Management consultancy experts of Quantum Fire Solutions. Consultant Mike Evers acknowledged that there is a much know-how in the Guyana Fire Service already.

However, he noted that they “have come from England to work with them and alongside them and exchange techniques of firefighting in smoke control and also high-temperature scenarios”.

Chief Fire Officer, Marlon Gentle expressed satisfaction with the performance of the local firefighters during the training exercise. He noted that the training also provided the GFS with the opportunity to test simulators, ensure they were functional and could be used for the purposes they were intended. In 2017, the simulator was certified as having met international standards by Angloco Limited UK, an international company.

“We also had the chance of testing our gear, our protective gear to see where we are and I am pleased and satisfied that they have held up and that they have stood the test at the same time it has given us the opportunity also to modernise our training, our methodology on fire extinguishment,” Gentle stated.

According to Gentle, members of the GFS will undergo additional training throughout the year. “This training will now be cascaded downwards and outwards to the members of the Guyana Fire Service where every member will have to go through this programme so that we have standard operational training and a standard in which we will go about doing our duties.”

Training for members of the GFS is an ongoing exercise carried out throughout the year aimed at the building the firefighting capacity of the GFS.

 

By: Isaiah Braithwaite