Latest update November 15th, 2024 1:00 AM
Fire Chief lauds recent firefighting efforts
– highlights challenge to accessing water
– stresses need for citizens’ support
The efforts of firefighters to tackle a number of fires in recent days have been described as “tremendously credible work” by Fire Chief Marlon Gentle.
In an interview with this publication yesterday, Gentle noted that while full satisfaction may never be possible, continuous strides are being made “to lift our levels.”
According to him, the firefighters on some occasions are faced with challenges which have been in existence for far too long. “It’s coming more and more to the fore, but this is nothing new…when these fires happen then everybody remembers,” said Gentle, of protracted challenges.
Fire Chief Marlon Gentle
At least two recent fires have been linked to arson and another two believed to be electrical in origin, and Gentle noted yesterday that access to water has at times been a main sore point in tackling these fires.
Even as he made reference to a fire at Crane on Monday, which was found to be electrical in origin, as it started in the upper ceiling of the two-flat building, the Fire Chief alluded to the challenge that was faced by firefighters to access a nearby water source. He pointed out that since fire engines cannot respond swiftly with their capacity volume of water, there is a crucial need for firefighters to make use of waterways in the areas where fires occur.
Gentle pointed out that there are times when the available water sources are inaccessible. He therefore emphasised the need for efforts to be made to examine the location of water sources.
“When these canals are at the back of a house how can get to them? We can’t drive a truck through a dam or a house to access the canals there, and that is a limitation in itself to our firefighting efforts. I think people believe we can run a long hose about 40 feet away…these things have limitations and so we have to be close to access these canals.”
While this was the challenge faced at Crane, the Fire Chief recounted a similar situation experienced in Berbice.
“The last fire in Canje (Berbice) the canal was dug, but all the stuff was dumped on the sides of the canal, so there was difficulty in accessing the canal, and of course that has a time-consuming factor,” he added.
Firemen connecting a hose as they prepare to tackle a recent blaze at Crane.
Gentle noted that while the efforts were made to invest in tankers, these are located close to fire stations, and he explained that “you can’t send a tanker (full with water) till over the river or till from Leonora. What time will it reach? Those tankers are very heavy…We wouldn’t send them long distances and run the risk of getting them into an accident.”
Nevertheless, he assured that the Fire Service on each occasion that it was summoned was able to respond as efficiently as possible.
“When we got there what we saw we were able to take into hand, and I think that we have been doing our job. We cannot undo what was already done prior to arriving. Remember, a fire has to start before the fire service is alerted,” Gentle asserted.
He highlighted further “when fires are seen, it is when they would have already started bursting through a window or through a roof, and this means that for all intents and purposes that that property has already been damaged.”
“When we get there we have to make sure that it doesn’t get worse; we have to contain it. A tank of water would not do anything to a burning house, but a tank of water might be able to help protect another building from burning,” he observed.
The Fire Chief underscored that the Fire Service cannot operate in isolation. He moreover highlighted the need for citizens to also take responsibility for their own environment.
“People need to pay attention to how they use the basic things; how they use electricity, how they cook and how they store combustibles,” Gentle emphasised.
He also spoke of the importance of ensuring that young children are at all times supervised while at home. He made this point as he considered that many children are now enjoying the July/August holiday.
“School is out and parents have to ensure that their children are supervised and are engaged meaningfully,” Gentle recommended.
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