at the latter entity’s Georgetown headquarters

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Yesterday morning, the French Fire Service handed over a variety of ‘rescue equipment’ to members of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), at the latter entity’s Georgetown headquarters, with the aim of boosting the capability of local fire-fighters.Major Julien Deroche of the French Guiana Army identifying and explaining the purpose of the equipment donated to the Guyana Fire Service.Honorary Consul General for France, Pierre Saint-Arroman, told this newspaper that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) collaborates with the French Army on a regular basis, with various training being conducted in Guyana where French officials participate, likewise, the Guyanese participate in the training held in French GuianaSaint-Arroman referred to an example of four police officials from Georgetown who recently went to French Guiana for computer training and stated that this is testimony to the co-operation which the two countries share with each other.He said it is a basic case for mutual national development where “French show you what to do and how to do it, in return, Guyanese show us what to do and how to do it also”.The Frenchman added that he hopes that this co-operation continues to be fruitful and both Guyana and French Guiana continue to share the necessary information with each other to help develop the countries by land, sea and even air.In response to the timely donation, Guyana’s Chief Fire Officer, Marlon Gentle, thanked the French for their assistance while emphasizing that the ‘non-fire equipment’ will aid the GFS with rescuing persons from trapped buildings, vehicles and other accidents, whenever they are often called upon to render “a helping hand”.Gentle stated that the GFS values the co-operation that exists with the French and over the past four years, Guyana and French Guiana have benefitted tremendously from the various conferences, workshops and training that have been conducted by both countries.The fire chief further added that “more knowledge builds internal skills” while explaining that there has been a high degree of carelessness this year, which has “upped by 23%”, resulting in more fires. He compared the number of fire cases at the end of October 2009 (1,455) with this year (1,600).Gentle told Kaieteur News that most fires occur in “dwelling places”, meaning people’s homes, for reasons such as misuse/unsafe use of electricity, not getting “proper” or certified electricians to wire buildings properly, homes having “makeshift wiring” and stealing electricity.The ‘non-fire equipment’ consists of resuscitation and monitoring equipment, various types of stretchers, burn treatment kits, disinfectants as well as other items which assist in evacuating casualties and stabilizing limbs and necks.According to Saint-Arroman, the equipment costs 2,500 to 3,000 Euros with the last donation of equipment being sometime in 2008.He said that based on the demands and needs of the GFS, the French will continue to assist as often as required.Also in attendance at yesterday morning’s presentation on behalf of the French were Police Attaché to Suriname and Guyana, Georges Marceau, Major Julien Deroche, Captain Thierry Huret and Corporal Marchiset Thibauk.The GFS was represented by Divisional Officer of Operations, Jacqueline Johnson and other fire-fighters.