Meet the new Fire Chief
A GINA feature, June 21, 2004
The newly-appointed Fire Chief Lawrence David, is one of three new Heads of the Disciplined Services. During an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), he outlined some of the future plans and his vision for the Fire Service.
Lawrence David joined the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) on December 6, 1971 and has reached the peak of his career. He is now Fire Chief. He said that he is thankful to the Almighty Lord for his achievements.
During his 33 years in the GFS, there is one memory that will always be with him.
"I could recall saving the life of a young man in Campbellville when I was a sub-officer. He was clinging on to a live wire and I had to remove it. He was barely alive!" David recalls.
Training enhances an individual's efficiency, and the Fire Chief has been exposed to such training both locally and internationally.
He has received training in the United States , Nicaragua and Trinidad and Tobago , and he said it prepared him for the position he has today.
His last stint was a three and a half month session in Japan , which was a stepping-stone in his career.
Being on his job now for just three weeks, the Fire Chief is implementing measures to sensitize the public to fire safety measures through the National Communications Network (NCN) television.
"Formerly we had these oral presentations from which we are trying to move away and have live footage which will bring these issues into homes. We feel it is more hands on and it would have more impact," stressed the Fire Chief.
David said that he is pleased with the attitude of firemen, who have shown commitment and dedication to their duties.
Training for the firemen, David said, will be done on a continual basis and will include workshops in collaboration with the Public Service Ministry.
The Alberttown Fire Station is a temporary location for the training school, and the Fire Chief pointed out there is a site identified at Leonora for the establishment of the training quarters. The theoretical part of the training is done in the classroom at the Alberttown Fire Station and practicals are done at the National Park.
In terms of recruitment, David stated that 28 additional firemen were recently added to the GFS to strengthen the capacity of the service.
Inspection of government and private buildings will be done on a continuous basis, with fire officers inspecting buildings throughout the country to see if they are complying with the fire safety rules and regulations.
"We have to ensure that the safety of employees is looked at, at all times. We have rules and regulations for fire safety and fire-prevention and they have to be adhered to at all times," pointed out David.
Some of the criteria to follow include: proper fire exits; storage of materials and functioning fire extinguishers.
Protecting firemen is also top priority for the Fire Chief. He noted that recommendations will be made for funds to purchase more protective gear for firemen.
"There is the saying. Fail to prepare is to prepare to fail," pointed out the Fire Chief.
He noted that the greatest challenge for the GFS is that most of the fire stations exist only on the coastal belt and more are needed in other regions.
“We want to expand the fire service to all areas of Guyana where we can reach the public and give them the service they deserve,” said the Fire Chief.
This year, a Fire station will be constructed in Mackenzie, Linden (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice). The land was provided by LINMINE and $15M will be spent laying the foundation and effecting other works for Phase One of the project.
Fire-prevention is cost effective, emphasised David, and it is the vision of the Fire Chief to have a better relationship with the public.
“We can reciprocate by providing services that are non-traditional. For example, we can use the Fire Service for training people in first aid and disaster preparedness. We can look at forming volunteering fire-fighters groups from the communities,” he posited.
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Monday, June 21, 2004
