Recent fire victims get financial support

Oct 14, 2010 News

The Guyana Environmental Health and Safety Foundation, on Tuesday, last, made a monetary donation to two families whose lives were disrupted by fire. The presentation was made by President of the entity Darwin Bourne and was held at the Survival Supermarket, Sheriff Street Branch.
The two beneficiaries are Martin Dey, of Norton Street, Lodge, whose house was partly destroyed last Thursday, and Esther Braithwaite and 15 other family members who lost their home recently. The two victims were presented with cheques to uplift items from the Survival Supermarket at a five per cent discount.

President of the Guyana Environmental Health and Safety Foundation Darwin Bourne making a presentation to Martin Dey whose recently suffered losses as a result of a fire.

Bourne expressed pleasure at being part of the initiative since he sees the need for other support groups to come on board in assisting victims of disasters. Bourne noted too that given the nature of their organization they decided to make the donation in keeping with Fire Prevention Month observances.
The Guyana Environmental Health and Safety Foundation is a Non-Governmental Organisation that focuses on social and national issues. Bourne said since the organization’s establishment some four years ago their main focus has been fire prevention and risk management.
Bourne said that currently the organization has bought a building in Mahaicony and works are being done to make it into a fire relief home. He explained that persons who have lost their home due to fire and other natural disaster will be allowed to stay at the facility which will provide the basic amenities for a period of three to six months.
He said that the relief council will be able to house some ten persons. Plans are underway for other similar projects.
The home in Mahaicony, Bourne said, will be fully operational by next February. In addition, the organization will be hosting a workshop beginning at the end of this month to deal with Fire Safety and risk management. The participants will be drawn from companies within the public and private sector.
Bourne added that the training will deal with how to manage and detect fires at work places and how to secure premises among other issues.
Also in December, a workshop will be conducted targeting persons dealing with ocean going vessels. “We are trying to educate them on how to deal or handle emergencies at seas in particularly fire emergencies”.
Bourne further called on other agencies to lend their support to fire victims as it is no easy task recovering from a fire.
He noted, too, that fire prevention should be everybody’s business and not only of the Guyana Fire Service.