Chief Fire Officer Gregory Wickham says the Guyana Fire Service hopes to install approximately 2,000 additional fire hydrants across the country next year, with another 120 expected to be installed before the end of this year.
Speaking to the media following the service’s 69th anniversary parade in Georgetown yesterday, in a video posted on the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Facebook page, Wickham said there were already at least 5,000 hydrants across Guyana’s ten administrative regions.
“And by next year, we are hoping to plant about 2,000 hydrants throughout Guyana,” he said, adding that the programme was intended to ensure a ready supply of water for firefighting.
Wickham said the service was pursuing a strategy of installing hydrants across communities to improve access to water when firefighters respond to emergencies.
Water access has remained a concern during major fires. During the September 9 blaze which devastated Regent Household Plus on Regent Street, Kiskadee Watch reported that a nearby hydrant appeared not to have been used and firefighters relied on open water sources.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Dwayne Scotland said during that operation that firefighters arrived within three minutes of receiving the report and contained the blaze to the affected building.
Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond, who also spoke to reporters following yesterday’s parade, said the government was pursuing an “aggressive fire hydrant programme”, involving the restoration of existing hydrants and additional installations as communities expand.
Asked about firefighters’ ability to prevent fires from spreading between closely situated commercial buildings, Walrond attributed improvements to the availability of equipment, water and other resources.
She recalled that fires on Regent Street previously threatened entire blocks and commended the work done to contain the recent Regent Household blaze.
Hydrant installations have also featured in the government’s community development proposals. Kiskadee Watch reported in August that plans for Melanie Damishana and Non Pareil included increasing the number of hydrants from three to 43, while a separate presentation at Charity identified 64 proposed hydrant locations.
Wickham also said the Fire Service had recently acquired another fireboat, bringing its complement to two. He highlighted investments in new equipment, including breathing apparatus for firefighters, and credited government support with strengthening the service’s response capacity.
Walrond said the acquisition of fire tenders, trucks and a fireboat was intended to improve emergency response.
“It’s not just so we could have a glorious parade,” she said.
She cited the recent fire at the children’s home in Sophia, saying firefighters from the new Campbellville Fire Station responded in under two minutes. According to the ministry’s accompanying statement, the swift response helped avert potentially catastrophic consequences, with no injuries reported.
The anniversary parade began at the Square of the Revolution and proceeded along Brickdam, where ranks gave the traditional “Eyes Right” salute to Walrond, before concluding at Ashmin’s Building on High Street.
The minister praised firefighters’ discipline, professionalism and resilience, saying their willingness to risk their lives to protect others deserved recognition beyond the anniversary observance.
“The government has made tremendous investments in the assets, but our greatest investments have been in our young people and in the training,” she said.
Wickham said the service’s work extended beyond firefighting to emergency medical assistance provided by its Emergency Medical Technicians.
He further stated that there had been fewer fires to date than during the corresponding period last year, although he did not provide figures.
Urging citizens to report fires promptly, Wickham warned that grass fires could spread to buildings and said early notification was essential to limiting damage.
“Let us get a call because time is of essence,” he said, urging persons to contact the Fire Service on 912.
He added that firefighters were continuing house-to-house and community outreach on fire safety and prevention.
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