The Guyana Fire service plans to install approximately 2,000 additional fire hydrants across the country next year as part of efforts to improve access to water and strengthen its firefighting capacity.
Chief Fire Officer Gregory Wickham said the service currently has at least 5,000 hydrants across Guyana’s 10 administrative regions with another 120 expected to be installed before the end of the 2026.
Speaking with reporters on Monday following the Guyana Fire Service’s 69th Anniversary March Past Parade, Wickham said the expansion is intended to ensure firefighters have a reliable water supply when responding to emergencies.
He said the service has also strengthened its operational capacity through investments in new firefighting equipment, including fire tenders and boats.
Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond said these investments are helping firefighters respond more quickly to emergencies and reduce the risk of loss of life and property.
She cited a recent fire at a children’s home at Plum Park, Sophia, where firefighters were able to respond in under two minutes because of the nearby fire station.
Walrond also highlighted improvements in fire containment, noting that modern equipment, adequate water supplies and restored or newly installed hydrants are helping firefighters prevent fires from spreading to neighbouring buildings.
Wickham said the Fire Service continues to encourage residents to report fires immediately, warning that even grass fires can spread to nearby structures.
He urged members of the public to contact the emergency services promptly when they observe a fire, stressing that early notification is critical to limiting damage and protecting lives.
Source: NEW ROOMS SITE
