– as 150 hydrants across 4 regions non-operational
Some 35 of the 200 new fire hydrants acquired by the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) have been installed across the country as authorities move ahead with efforts to strengthen the country’s firefighting capabilities and improve emergency response. The GFS plans to install 200 new hydrants by the end of 2026 as part of an ongoing restoration programme aimed at repairing existing inoperable units.
Already, new hydrants are being installed in Georgetown as well as along the East Bank of Demerara (EBD), East Coast of Demerara (ECD) and along the West Bank and West Coast of Demerara (WCD). In addition, existing hydrants are continuously being serviced to ensure they remain operational. This was revealed by Senior Fire Officer Rovin Thomas during a recent interview with this publication at the side-lines of the demonstrative showcasing of the operational response of firefighters during active fire incidents.
“Currently, there is an installation process ongoing. We have over 35 hydrants being planted. We are having specific focus not only on Georgetown but also on the East Bank, East Coast, West Bank, and West Coast. Of recent, we’ve had 32 hydrants installed in the Mahaica area. So, these hydrants are indeed installed. They have been procured, and the team is out there working to have more hydrants installed.”
Thomas added that the GFS is not only focused on installing new hydrants but is also ensuring that existing hydrants are properly serviced. “The hydrants that are already planted – those hydrants are constantly serviced to ensure that they are in operable and good working condition.” He explained that priority is being given to vulnerable and high-risk areas, including locations with major installations.
“We have vulnerable areas, and we have those key points – fixed installations; major installations like bulk fuel storage, large supermarkets, Government buildings, schools, gas stations, areas that would normally house large amounts of persons like malls and so forth. But there is a specific emphasis on Government buildings, high-rise buildings, and high-risk areas.” Meanwhile, Thomas noted that there are approximately 1000 fire hydrants across Georgetown.
Despite the high number of hydrants in Region Four, the GFS has identified 150 hydrants across Regions Three, Four, Five, and Six that are currently non-functional. Thomas attributed these failures to a combination of accidental damage caused by vehicles and ageing infrastructure inherited from the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) system.
“We have over 1000 hydrants in Georgetown alone, and we can access water from canals and so forth. So, water is not a big issue for the fire service. Even if there is a clogged drain and there is no hydrant in a particular area, we have our bowsers that normally respond to these calls. We have two appliances, and in some instances, two bowsers to support those appliances. Now, the bowsers, for those who don’t know, are the fire trucks that have the long carriage or the long tanker. Those bowsers carry 14,000 litres of water.” Thomas also explained the water capacity of the regular fire appliances used by the GFS.
“Our regular fire appliance carries 450 gallons. This is similar to your black tank, and in some instances, we have some with 500 gallons of water. Added to that, we have a foam capacity of 250 gallons. The foam is used specifically to deal with vehicle fires, fires involving oils, grease, and other similar incidents.”
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