Gov’t investing in more fire-fighting vehicles

GINA, GUYANA, Thursday, November 3, 2016

Cabinet has granted its no objection to the procurement of fire fighting vehicles for the Guyana Fire Service (GFS).

This announcement was made by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon at today’s post- Cabinet press briefing which was held at the Office of the President, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown.

A contract valued $77,250,998 will be used to acquire two water tenders, four water bowsers and two ambulances, Minister Harmon stated. The vehicles will be procured from well-known fire fighting and vehicle manufacturer, Angloco Limited out of the United Kingdom.

Fire Chief Marlon Gentle told the Government Information Agency (GINA) today, in an invited comment that the ambulances are to be used in the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) which is expected to be launched this month.

The main aim of the EMS is to establish medical response ambulance services via land, air and water with a response time of 15 minutes maximum. The EMS is a collaborative effort between the Ministries of Public Security and Public Health.

Meanwhile, Gentle told GINA two of the water bowsers are destined for Berbice, one each for the towns of Corriverton and Rose Hall. Gentle explained that the GFS has “difficulty in readily accessing water” in the heavily populated parts of these towns.

The Fire Chief said the other vehicles will be dispatched where there is need while one of the bowsers will be on reserve.

By Tiffny Rhodius