Fire Chief calls for repairs to fire hydrants

Jan 11, 2018 News

Fire Chief, Marlon Gentle

While stressing the grave importance of fire hydrants, Marlon Gentle, Fire Chief of the Guyana Fire Service noted the need for the hydrants to be repaired within Georgetown. He said that fire hydrants are used whenever there is a fire, as a water source.

“We have had to use hydrants on a few occasions.” He admitted that the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) had rehabilitated quite a number of hydrants over the last year but according to him, a significant number could still do with rehabilitation.

“Some of the hydrants that were refurbished, we see them leaning and when you inspect them carefully you can see that they were hit by vehicles or something. If they are damaged, no water would come up through them because is just like a pipe being broken,” he explained.

The Fire Chief was able to identify at least three areas in Georgetown that currently have fire hydrants that are in need of repairs. He also reestablished the necessity of the hydrants, as he pointed out a few cases where fire fighters had to make use of the hydrants.

Addressing the issue from the water company was the Dr. Richard Van-West Charles, the Managing Director of the Guyana Water Incorporated.

He said, “The fire hydrants are a ‘no man’s land’ but GWI has taken the responsibility and we have been able this year to repair another 175 fire hydrants, taking us over 600 functioning hydrants in Georgetown.”

Dr. Charles further said, “Outside of Georgetown, we are trying to ensure that the fire service can connect to our pump station so that if there is a fire they can serve and can have access to water.”

The Fire Chief attested to the fact that indeed works were done to the hydrants around the city, but restated that more work can and should be done.

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