New Guyana Fire Service headquarters’ work progressing

Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn said the construction of the state-of-the-art Guyana Fire
Service (GFS) Headquarters on Homestretch Avenue with a price tag of $614.5M is well
underway.
Minister Benn, had said the relocation of the fire station from the congested Stabroek Market
square, will signimprove the response time to extinguish fires, as there will be more room for fire
tenders to operate. “We think that this is a better location and there will be room enough to build
for the future of the fire service. With much more space, more room to manoeuvre and much
more ability perhaps to get to the ranges of fire in terms of distance because you know
Georgetown itself has grown and the centre of the city itself has moved eastwards,” Benn
explained.

Permanent Secretary of the Home Affairs Ministry, Mae Toussaint Jr. Thomas, following a
recent site visit, assured that the works on the fire station will be completed early next year. The
PS noted that the modern facility will accommodate eight fire tenders and six Emergency
Medical Service (EMS) ambulances. It will also consist of living quarters for the fire fighters.
Thomas stressed that since the administration took office in August 2020, significant strides have
been made to boost the fire-fighting capability countrywide. This has seen a number of fire
stations being rehabilitated, including the Eccles Fire station, which is expected to be
commissioned soon.  Works on the station began in June 2021, at a cost of $37.8M and will
accommodate two fire tenders and one EMS ambulance.
Additionally, works to reconstruct the new Fire Station at the Eugene F. Correia International
Airport, Ogle, commenced in February. She pointed out that the new facility which costs over
$76M will accommodate two fire tenders and one EMS ambulance. It will also house a control
room, office space for senior officers and administrative staff, a gym and a conference room.
PS Thomas added that it will be equipped in accordance with the standards and recommended
practices contained in the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 14 for
aerodromes and the ICAO Doc 9137 Airport service manual, to provide rescue and firefighting
services at the airport.