“Fed up” fireman tells Home Affairs Minister to stay out of firefighting operations, focus on policies

Last Updated on Saturday, 22 March 2025, 21:35 by Writer

Guyana Fire Service (GFS) firefighters are increasingly concerned that Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn is getting directly involved in firefighting operations and, at least one of them was Saturday so upset that he opted to vent his frustration on social media about alleged ministerial interference.

Mr Benn refused to respond to the concerns of fireman, Section Leader Neville Cumberbatch. “No comment, no comment,” he told Demerara Waves Online News. Efforts to contact Fire Chief Gregory Wickham also proved futile.

Several other firefighters corroborated the concerns raised by Mr Cumberbatch in his Facebook Live post in which he accused the Home Affairs Minister of violating the Guyana Fire Service Act and standing operational procedures for responding to fires. The fireman referred to the law which states that the Chief Fire Officer shall, subject to the general order and direction of the minister, have the command and superintendence of the Service and he shall be responsible to the Minister for the efficient conduct and administration of the Service.

The law also empowers the Home Affairs Minister to make regulations for several matters including the speedy attendance of firefighters to respond to fire alarms or special services.

Fireman Cumberbatch said he told his superiors and political personalities that “the firefighters are not allowed to do what they are trained to do.” He was adamant that anyone, who is not a firefighter, would have to submit the reports if they interfere or impede in the work of trained personnel. “You can’t come and jeopardise firefighting because of whatever authority you hold,” said Mr Cumberbatch who acknowledged that he is a supporter of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) and Local Government Councillor.

The firefighter of more than 10 years was confident that if firefighters were allowed to execute their duties, fires would be extinguished.

He queried whether the Minister, who is responsible for the Fire Service, “believes that he can wake up and go and out all of these fires by himself”. He said Mr Benn’s approach was also exposing the GFS firefighters to legal troubles if there is a court case. Declaring that “I’m fed up”, he insisted that the rules of firefighting must be followed and respected, even as he challenged Mr Benn to “don’t worry with your ministerial work, leave your office and come there and do the work since you know more about firefighting.”

Reflecting on the Saturday morning fire at Critchlow Labour College, he said the Control Room is responsible for deploying manpower and appliances to a fire scene, and the subordinate officer—a trained firefighter at the scene—informs the Control Room whether more support is needed. Mr Cumberbatch deplored unqualified persons on the scene instructing firefighters what to do and pull hoses, resulting in the fire spiralling out of control. “When I saw Critchlow fire. If the firemen were allowed to do what they were supposed to do, that place would have been good,” he added.

“That is not firefighting! That is madness! That is craziness!” he said. “Leave the firefighting for firefighters. If you go on the scene and if there is a big conflagration, stay in your corner,” he said. Mr Cumberbatch said the confusion that has been happening over the past four years must come to an end. “I pray everyday that we don’t clash because the day you tell me that stupidness, you alone going in there (the seat of the fire),” he said. “Allow the Fire Service to breathe. Take your foot off the people neck,” he said.

He called on President Irfaan Ali to put the Home Affairs Minister “in check”. Mr Cumberbatch said he has a “great deal of respect” for then Home Affairs Minister who had called the Chief Fire Officer for a briefing should the President require information. Similarly, he admired Attorney General Anil Nandlall for the manner in which he executes his duties.

Mr Cumberbatch recommended that the Home Affairs Minister dedicate himself to crafting policies to address issues such as installing Global Positioning System (GPS) trackers, providing allowances to firefighters, increase inspection fees and licences from GY$500 and GY$1,000, respectively, expanding the presence of firefighters and increasing financial relief to surviving family members from GY$1 million.

Meanwhile, he defended the late arrival of firefighters on Friday at Martyr’s Ville, East Coast Demerara, to traffic congestion.

The Section Leader appealed to the media to investigate the state of fire fighting in Guyana rather than bash the GFS.

The GFS in January acquired 40 firefighting and emergency vehicles. The service is also equipped with a Bronto Skylift as well as fireboats.