Chapter 22:02 - Fire Service (Guyana)

Chapter 22:02 - Fire Service

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L.R.O. 1/2012
LAWS OF GUYANA
FIRE SERVICE ACT
CHAPTER 22:02
Act
7 of 1957
Amended by
Current Authorised Pages
Pages
(inclusive)
Authorised
by L.R.O.
1 – 39 ... 1/2012
O. 43/1957
17 of 1954
26 of 1959
24 of 1962
24 of 1969
4 of 1972
25 of 1973
35 of 2009
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Index
of
Subsidiary Legislation
Page
Fire Service Regulations
(26/ 1957, 10/1965, 4 of 1972)
Fire Service (Fire Hydrants) Regulations
39
(Reg. 3/1964)

Note
on
Repeal
This Act repealed the Auxiliary Fire Brigade Ordinance, 47 of 1952

15
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__________________________
SCHEDULE—Fire Service Units.
28. Regulations.
27. Insubordination.
26. Impersonating member of Service.
25. False alarms of fire.
24. Interference with Service.
23. Immunities of members of Service.
22. Duties and immunities of water undertakers.
21. Closing of streets at a fire.
20. Power to destroy property in order to arrest spread of fire.
19. Powers of person in control of operations of a fire.
18. Control of operations at a fire.
17. Rights of entry for fire-fighting purposes.
16. Illness, bodily injury and death of auxiliary members.
15. Call out of auxiliary members.
14. Duties of members of Service.
13. Duties of Deputy Chief Fire Officer.
12. Authority and responsibilities of Chief Fire Officer.
11. Pensions and gratuities of members of the Service.
10. Members of Georgetown Auxiliary Fire Service.
9. Members of Police Force deemed to be appointed members of Service.
8. Composition of Service.
7. Types of members of Service.
6. Contributions by local authorities.
5. Maintenance of Service out of public moneys.
4. Constitution of Units of Service.
3. Establishment of the Service.
2. Interpretation.
1. Short title. SECTION
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
FIRE SERVICE ACT
CHAPTER 22:02
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CHAPTER 22:02
FIRE SERVICE ACT
7 of 1957 An Act to provide for the establishment of the Guyana Fire
Service and for purposes connected therewith.
[30TH MARCH, 1957]
Short title.
Interpretation.
[24 of 1969
25 of 1973]

c. 28:02
1. This act may be cited as the Fire Service Act.
2. In this Act –

“auxiliary member” means a member of the service other
than a regular member.
“fire –fighting” purposes means the purpose of the extinction
of fires and the protection of life and property in the case
of a fire ;
“fireman “means a member of the service below the rank of
the leading fireman ;
“Local authority “means in relation to the city of Georgetown
and the town of new Amsterdam ,the Georgetown city
council and the new Amsterdam town council
,respectively ,in relation to any town or local government
district established under the municipal and district
councils act, the council of such town or district and ,in
relation to any other area ,the local authority ,if any ,of
that area within the meaning of the Local Government
Act;
“officer “means a member of the service holding a rank senior
to that of a sub –officer ;
“police force “means the police force established under the
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c. 16:01
Establishment
of the Service.
[O. 43/1957]
Constitution of
units of Service.
Schedule.

Maintenance of
Service out of
public moneys.
[4 of 1972]
Police Act;
“regular member “means a member of the service liable for a
whole –time service therein;
“regulations “means regulations made under this act ;
“the service “means the Guyana fire service established by
section 3;
“subordinate fire officer “means a member of the service,
other than a fireman ,below the rank of station officer
and includes a member of the service of sub-officer
,section leader or leading fireman ;
“unit “means a unit of the service constituted in accordance
with this act.
3. (1) There is hereby established in and for Guyana,
with effect from the 12th October, 1957, a fire service to be
called the Guyana fire service.
(2) The service may be composed of one or more
units constituted in accordance with this act.
4. (1) unit of the service under the respective
designations described in the schedule shall be constituted in
respect to areas of Guyana described in the schedule and shall
be maintained primarily for fire -fighting purposes in such
areas.
(2) The minister may by order from time to time
amend the schedule.
5. The minister may authorize the payment out of
moneys provided by parliament of such sums of money as
may be necessary for defraying the cost of maintaining the
service.
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Contributions
by local
authorities

Types of
members of
Service.
Composition of
Service.
Members of
Police Force
deemed to be
appointed
members of
Service.

Members of
Georgetown
Auxiliary Fire
Service.

Pensions and
gratuities of
members of the
6. (1) Anything in section 5 to the contrary
notwithstanding a portion of the total cost of maintaining any
unit shall be borne by the local authority or local authorities
as the case may be of the area in respect of which the unit is
primarily maintained.
(2) The contribution to be made by a local
authority towards the maintenance of any unit under the
preceding subsection shall be determined by the minister
after consultation with the local authority or local authorities
concerned, and shall be deemed to be expenditure which the
local authority is by law authorized to incur.
7. The service may be composed of regular members
or of auxiliary members of both regular and auxiliary
members.
8. The service shall consist of a chief fire officer, a
deputy chief fire officer and such number of officer,
subordinate fire officers and firemen as the minister may from
time to time direct.
9. Any person who being a member of the police force
is on the appointed day serving with the Georgetown fire
service unit or the new Amsterdam fire service unit shall be
deemed to be appointed a member of the service under this
act with such a designation of rank as may be assigned to
him.
10. Any person who is immediately before the
appointed day a member of the Georgetown auxiliary fire
brigade shall on the appointed day be deemed to be
appointed an auxiliary member of the service under this act
with such designation of rank as may be assigned to him.
11. Regular members of the service recruited thereto
on or after the appointed day and members of the Police
Force deemed to be appointed members of the Service under
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Service.
c. 27:02

Authority and
responsibilities
of Chief Fire
Officer.
[19 of 1954
26 of 1959
4 of 1972]
c. 22:01
section 9 of this Act to whom the provision of the Pensions
Act would not otherwise apply or continue to apply shall be
eligible as the case may be for pensions and gratuities at the
same rates and on the same terms and conditions as are
applicable to ‘non-commissioned officers and constables of
the police force enrolled after the first day of September
,nineteen hundred and fifty, and such pensions and gratuities
shall be computed as though service in the Service in the
Police Force .
12. (1) 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 and for the proper expenditure
of all public moneys appropriated for the service thereof.
(2) It shall be the duty of the Chief Fire Officer—

(a) to carry out all necessary measures to
ensure the proper discipline of the
Service;
(b) to see that the fire-engines, fire-boats
and other fire equipment are kept in
good order and thorough repair and
are used to the best advantage for fire-
fighting purposes;
(c) to take cognizance of and to cause
prosecutions to be instituted either in
his own name or in the name of any
officer or subordinate officer of the
Service in respect of offences under
the Fire Prevention Act or any other
law for the prevention of fire;
(d) at the close of every financial year, or
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Duties of
Deputy Chief
Fire Officer.
Duties of
members of
Service.
Call out of
oftener if required by the Minister, to
report to him in writing the condition
of the stations, hydrants, hoses,
vehicles, fire-boats, fire-engines, and
all other fire equipment and property
under his charge; the income and
expenditure of the Service in detail for
the previous year; the number of fires
and causes thereof, or as near as can
be ascertained; the number and
description of buildings destroyed or
seriously damaged, together with the
names of the owners or occupants, all
accidents by fire which may be
known to him; together with such
other information or suggestions as
may in his opinion be desirable.
(3) The Chief Fire Officer shall have his
headquarters in the city of Georgetown.
13. The Deputy Chief Fire Officer shall act as principal
assistant to the Chief Fire Officer in the performance of his
duties in respect of the Service, and shall have power, during
the absence or incapacity of the Chief Fire Officer, or when
authorised by him, to do or suffer any act or thing which may
by law be done or suffered by the Chief Fire Officer.
14. (1) The officers of the Service shall perform such
duties of the Chief Fire Officer as may be legally delegated to
them and all such duties as devolve upon them under the
regulations.
(2) The subordinate fire officers and firemen of the
Service shall perform such duties as devolve upon them
under the regulations and such other duties as the Chief Fire
Officer may determine.
15. It shall be lawful for the Chief Fire Officer in any
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auxiliary
members.

Illness, bodily
injury and
death of
auxiliary
members.
[4 of 1972]
case where in his opinion additional assistance is required for
fire-fighting purposes to call out for service any auxiliary
members of the Service and unless the context otherwise
requires the provisions of this Act and of the regulations with
respect to the powers, immunities, duties and obligations of
members of the Service shall in relation to auxiliary members
apply only to such members as are called out as aforesaid.
16. (1) Where any auxiliary member of the Service
through no fault of his own, contracts any illness, or sustains
bodily injury while in the actual discharge of his duties as
such, he shall be provided with medicines, medical comforts
and medical attendance at the public expense on the written
authority of the Chief Fire Officer.
(2) Where any auxiliary member of the Service
sustains bodily injury in the circumstances specified in the
preceding subsection, and is permanently disabled (either
totally or partially) as a result thereof, the Minister
responsible for finance may grant him a pension or gratuity,
the amount of which shall be subject to the approval of the
National Assembly.
(3) Where any auxiliary member of the Service as a
result of the actual discharge of his duties as such and
through no fault of his own, contracts any illness or sustains
any bodily injury and due to such illness or bodily injury
suffers any loss of earnings in his normal occupation, the
Minister responsible for finance may grant him compensation
therefor, the amount of which shall be subject to the approval
of the National Assembly.
(4) Where the aforesaid bodily injury results in
death, the Minister responsible for finance may awards to the
dependants (including any illegitimate children to whose
support the deceased was contributing) a pension or gratuity,
the amount of which shall be subject to the approval of the
National Assembly.
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c. 36:01

Rights of entry
for fire-fighting
purposes.
Control of
operations at a
fire.

Powers of
person in
control of
operations at a
fire.
(5) This section shall apply to an auxiliary member
notwithstanding the fact that by reason of his injury or death
he or his dependants as defined under the National Insurance
and Social Security Act are entitled to benefits under that Act.
17. Any member of the Service who is on duty, or any
member of the Police Force may enter and if necessary break
into any premises or place in which fire has or is reasonably
believed to have broken out, or any premises or place which it
is necessary to enter for the purposes of extinguishing a fire or
of protecting the premises or place from acts done for fire-
fighting purposes, without the consent of the owner or
occupier thereof, and may do all such things as he may deem
necessary for extinguishing the fire or for protecting from fire,
or from acts done as aforesaid , any such premises or place or
for rescuing any person or property therein.
18. At any fire, the senior member of the Service
present shall have the sole charge and control of all
operations for the extinction of the fire, including the fixing of
positions of fire engines and apparatus, the attaching of hose
to any water pipes or the use of any water supply, and the
selection of the parts of the premises, object or place where
the fire is, or of adjoining premises, objects or places, against
which the water is to be directed.
19. On the occasion of a fire the Chief Fire Officer or
other member of the Service in charge may in his discretion—
(a) take the command of other persons
who may voluntarily place their
services at his disposal;
(b) remove or order any member of the
Service to remove any person who by
his presence interferes with or
obstructs the operations of the
Service;

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Power to
destroy
property in
order to arrest
spread of fire.
Closing of
streets at a fire.

Duties and
immunities of
water
undertakers.
(c) employ persons to aid in
extinguishing any fire or in removing
furniture or goods from any building
on fire or in danger of fire, or to guard
and secure the same;
(d) cause any water to be shut off from
the mains and pipes of any district in
order to give a greater supply and
pressure of water in the district in
which a fire may break out;
(e) generally, take any measures that may
appear expedient for the protection of
life and property.
20. On the occasion of a fire the Chief Fire Officer or
other member of the Service in charge is hereby empowered if
it appears to him necessary for the purpose of arresting the
progress of any fire, to order any house or other building,
paling or erection to be pulled down or otherwise destroyed,
and he is also empowered to use any water in any tank,
cistern or other vessel or receptacle in the neighbourhood of
the fire; and no action for damages in respect of anything so
done shall be maintainable against the Chief Fire Officer or
other member of the Service in charge or against anyone
acting by his authority.
21. The senior officer of the Police Force present at any
fire, or in the absence of any such officer the senior member of
the Service present, may close to traffic any street or may stop
or regulate the traffic in any street whenever in the opinion of
that officer or member as the case may be it is necessary or
desirable to do so for fire-fighting purposes.
22. Any water undertakers shall, on being required by
any such member of the Service as is mentioned in section 19
to provide a greater supply and pressure of water for
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Immunities of
members of
Service.

Interference
with Service.
[6 of 1997
35 of 2009]

False alarms of
fire.
[24 of 1962
6 of 1997
35 of 2009]

Impersonating
member of
Service.
[6 of 1997
35 of 2009]
Insubordina-
tion.
[6 of 1997
35 of 2009]
extinguishing a fire, take all necessary steps to enable them to
comply with such requirement and may for that purpose shut
off the water from the mains and pipes in any area; and no
authority or person shall be liable to any penalty or claim by
reason of the interruption of the supply of water occasioned
only by compliance of the water undertakers with such a
requirement.
23. No member of the Service acting bona fide in the
exercise of the powers conferred upon him under this Act
shall be liable for any damage or for any act done under this
Act.
24. Any person who wilfully obstructs or interferes
with any member of the Service who is engaged in operations
for fire-fighting purposes shall be liable on summary
conviction to a fine of one hundred thousand dollars and to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months.
25. Any person who knowingly gives or causes to be
given a false alarm of fire to the Service or to any unit or
member thereof, shall be liable on summary conviction to a
fine of one hundred thousand dollars or to imprisonment for
six months, and in the case of a second or subsequent
conviction to a fine of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars
and to imprisonment for two years.
26. Any person who on the occasion of a fire, or with
intent to exercise any power conferred by this Act on a
member of the Service, impersonates or in any way pretends
to be a member of the Service, shall be liable on summary
conviction to a fine of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars
and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months.
27. Any member of the Service who neglects or
refuses to serve or refuses to obey any lawful command, shall
be liable on summary conviction to a fine of twenty five
thousand dollars.

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Regulations.
[4 of 1972]

28. The Minister may from time to time make
regulations relating to all or any of the following matters:
(a) the admission of members into the
Service, and the period of service and
training of the men belonging to the
same;
(b) the scale of issue, and the type of
uniform to be worn by, the hours of
training and exercise of, and the
distribution of duties among, the
members of the Service;
(c) the speedy attendance of members of
the Service with engines, fire escapes,
fire-boats and all necessary
equipment on the occasion of any
alarm of fire;
(d) for the attendance of members of the
Service with or without engines, fire
escapes, fire-boats and all necessary
equipment on the occasion of any call
for the special services of the Service;
(e) the maintenance of the Service in a
due state of efficiency;
(f) the hours of duty and leave of absence
of members of the Service;
(g) the ranks, pay, and allowances of
members of the Service;
(h) generally for the better carrying out of
the provisions of this Act.
____________
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the Linden Town
Service Unit. defined by clause 2 of
4. The Linden Fire The Town of Linden as
No. 119, 911B.
Department as Plan
the Lands
1966 and on record in
dated 18th March,
shown on a plan
boundaries being
Demerara River, all
On the West: by t he
Highway;
Soesdyke Linden
On the East: by the
Alliance;
Timehri and Plantation
sideline trench between
On the South: by the
Kakabura Trench;
On the North: by the
Unit. follows:
3. Timehri Fire Service The area bounded as
2. New Amsterdam Fire The Town of New
Unit.
1. Georgetown Fire Service The City of Georgetown
NAMES AREAS
FIRE SERVICE UNITS
SCHEDULE
[4 of 1972]
s. 4
____________________
1970 (No. 29 of 1970).
(Constitution) Order
Service Unit Amsterdam.
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Fire Service Cap. 22:02 15
SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION
_________________
FIRE SERVICE REGULATIONS
made under section 28

REGULATION
1. Citation and commencement.
2. Interpretation.
3. Order of seniority among ranks.
4. Seniority within ranks.
5. Command of units.
6. Regular members not to hold other office.
7. Duties of members of Service.
8. Duty to obey superiors.
9. Duty to serve as directed by Chief Fire Officer.
10. Strength of Service to be published.
11. Housing of officers.
12. Housing of subordinate fire officers and firemen.
13. Restrictions on use of housing accommodation.
14. Canteens, shops and recreation rooms.
15. Messing.
16. Fine Fund.
17. Periods of duty prescribed in Service Orders.
18. Pay and allowances.
19. Leave.
20. Admission, training and service.
21. Uniform.
22. Members of Service to perform duties promptly.
23. Member of Service to make good loss damage of
equipment, etc.
24. Member of Service to return issue on termination of
service.
25. Certificate of service
26. Charges in special services.
27. Standing orders.
28. Application of Regulations and General Orders.

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Citation.

Interpretation.

Order of
seniority
among ranks.

Seniority
within ranks.
Command of
units.
FIRST SCHEDULE—Pay and Allowances.
SECOND SCHEDULE—Admission, probation and training.
THIRD SCHEDULE—Uniform.
FOURTH SCHEDULE—Promotions.
FIFTH SCHEDULE—Substitution of Fire Service designation
in Police Regulations.
______________________
1. These Regulations may be cited as the Fire
Service Regulations.
2. In these Regulations "Standing Orders" means
Standing Orders issued under regulation 20.
3. The ranks of members of the Service below the
Chief Fire Officer shall be those set out hereunder in order of
seniority:
Deputy Chief Fire Officer
Divisional Officer
Assistant Divisional Officer
Station Officer
Sub-Officer
Section Leader
Leading Fireman
Fireman.
4. Members of the Service of the same rank shall
take seniority among themselves according to their dates of
appointment to such rank.
5. Subject to the general control and orders of the
Chief Fire Officer, an officer in charge of a unit shall have the
command, direction and general management of the unit and
shall be responsible to the Chief Fire Officer for all matters
relating to interior economy, fire fighting and fire prevention
and the performance of all executive Service duties in the
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Regular
members not to
hold other
office.
Duties of
members of
Service.

Duty to obey
superiors.
Duty to serve
as directed by
Chief Fire
Officer.
Strength of
Service to be
published.
Housing of
officers.
Housing of
subordinate
fire officers and
firemen.
unit.
6. A regular member shall not hold any other office or
employment for hire or gain or carry on any trade or business
without the consent of the Minister.
7. All members of the Service shall carry out the
lawful commands of their superior officers and shall
devote their time and energies to fire fighting, fire
prevention, the protection of life and property and aiding
the sick and injured. They shall at all times carry out their
duties without fear or favour, malice or ill- will, and with
strict impartiality and courtesy towards members of the
general public.
8. All members of the Service shall perform such
duties as may be assigned them by their superiors in rank.
9. All members of the Service shall serve in such
places and for such periods and in such capacities as the
Chief Fire Officer may from time to time direct in accordance
with the Act.
10. The strength of the Service as authorised from
time to time and the distribution thereof shall be published
in Service Orders.
11. Officers who are regular members shall reside in
such quarters as may be provided for them by
Government, and when no such quarters are provided they
may be allowed such sum as the Minister responsible for
finance may approve for housing accommodation, such
accommodation to be approved by the Chief Fire Officer.

12. Subordinate fire officers and firemen who are
regular members shall reside in such quarters as may be
provided for them by Government at stations, barracks or
elsewhere, and when no such quarters are available they may
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Restrictions on
use of housing
accommod-
ation.

Canteens,
shops and
recreation
rooms.
be allowed such sum as the Minister responsible for
finance may approve for housing accommodation, such
accommodation to be approved by the Chief Fire Officer.
13. (1) Subject to paragraph (2), where quarters
are provided by Government only the wife and children of a
subordinate fire officer, or fireman may reside with him in
the quarters so provided:
Provided that the Chief Fire Officer may if he thinks fit
permit any other relative to reside therein with such
subordinate fire officer, or fireman.
(2) Nothing in this regulation shall apply to a friend
or relative of a subordinate fire officer or fireman residing
with him temporarily if no charge is made in respect of such
residence.
14. (1) No canteen, recreation room or shop shall be
established in any unit except on the written authority of the
Chief Fire Officer.
(2) The officer for the time being in charge of a
unit shall be responsible to the Chief Fire Officer for the good
management of all canteens, recreation rooms and shops
established in such unit.
(3) Each canteen, recreation room and shop in a
unitshall be under the direction of the officer in charge of
the unit, and shall be managed by him with the assistance of
a committee of members of the Service attached to the
unit elected from among themselves.
(4) Intoxicating liquor may only be sold in any
canteen, recreation room or shop during such hours and
under such conditions as may be prescribed in Standing
Orders.

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Messing.
Fine Fund.
(5) All canteen, recreation room or shop funds
shall be deposited in the Post Office Savings Bank and shall
be accounted for by the committee responsible for the
management of the canteen, recreation room or shop.
15. No mess for the provision of food to members of
the Service shall be established in any unit except on the
written authority of the Chief Fire Officer.
16. (1) All fines imposed on members of the Service
under or by virtue of any regulations made under the Act
shall be deducted from their pay and be promptly deposited
by the Chief Fire Officer in the Post Office Savings Bank to
the credit of an account entitled "The Fire Service Fine
Fund", hereinafter referred to as "the Fund".
(2) The Chief Fire Officer shall cause a separate
account of the Fund to be kept under the headings "capital
account" and "income account", and he shall cause to be
credited to the capital account one-half of the fines imposed
and to the income account the other half of such fines
together with all interest or dividends received from the Post
Office Savings Bank or from any securities purchased with
moneys belonging to the Fund:
Provided that, when, and so long as, the capital account
has to its credit a total sum of not less than $500, the whole of
the fines imposed shall be credited to the income account.
(3) The whole or any portion of any sum at the
credit of the income account may be applied by the Chief Fire
Officer—
(a) to the cost of the upkeep of
recreation rooms, sporting outfits and
other recreational equipment and of
amusements for subordinate fire
officers and firemen;

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Periods of duty
prescribed in
Service Orders.
(b) to the cost of providing books
and newspapers for libraries for
subordinate fire officers and firemen;
(c) to the payment of such
rewards to subordinate fire officers
and firemen as the Chief Fire Officer
may approve; and
(d) in such other manner for the
benefit of subordinate fire officers
and firemen as the Chief Fire Officer
may from time to time direct.
(4) The Chief Fire Officer may invest the whole or
any portion of any sum at the credit of the capital account in
such securities as the Minister, after consultation with the
Minister responsible for finance, may approve and the
interest or dividends derived from such securities shall on
receipt thereof be promptly deposited in the Post Office
Savings Bank to the credit of the Fund.
(5) With the sanction of the Minister, the Chief
Fire Officer may expend the whole or any portion of any sum
at the credit of the capital account on any of the objects to
which any sum at the credit of the income account may be
applied.
(6) An annual account of the Fund made up to
the 31st December of each year, together with the Post Office
Savings Bank book and all vouchers, shall be submitted to
the Director of Audit not later than the 31st January of the
next succeeding year and the audited statement shall as soon
as possible thereafter be submitted to the Minister.
17. The plan of periods of duty for subordinate fire
officers and firemen shall be as prescribed from time to
time by the Chief Fire Officer in Service Orders.
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Pay and
allowances.
First Schedule.

Leave.
Admission,
training and
18. (1) The pay and allowances of members of the
Service shall be in accordance with the provisions set out
in the First Schedule.
(2) Nothing in this regulation shall be deemed to
prevent the Chief Fire Officer from providing members of the
Service while on duty at a fire or other occurrence with such
lodging, meals or refreshments as may be necessary in the
interest of efficiency.
19. (1) Section leaders, leading firemen and
firemen deemed to be appointed regular members of the
Service under section 9 of the Act shall continue to enjoy
such leave conditions as were applicable to them
immediately prior to the appointed day.
(2) Section leaders, leading firemen and
firemen appointed to be regular members of the Service
on or after the appointed day shall have and enjoy such
leave conditions as are applicable to section leaders, leading
firemen and firemen who were immediately prior to the
appointed day members of the Police Force other than
supernumerary constables, and who are deemed to be
appointed regular members of the Service under section 9 of
the Act.
(3) Regular members of the Service other than
section leaders, leading firemen and firemen shall have and
enjoy such leave conditions as may be applicable to them as
members of the public service.
(4) The Chief Fire Officer or the officer in charge
of a unit may grant leave to any auxiliary member
serving in such unit.
20. The rules governing the admission of members
into the Service and the periods of probation, training
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service.
Second
Schedule.
Uniform.
Third
Schedule.
Members of
Service to
perform duties
promptly.
Member of
Service to make
good loss
damage of
equipment, etc.
Member of
Service to
return issue on
termination of
Service.
Certificate of
service.
and service thereafter shall be as set out in the Second
Schedule.
21. The scale of issue and the type of uniform to be
worn by members of the Service shall be in accordance with
the Third Schedule.
22. Every member of the Service shall at all times
punctually and promptly perform all appointed duties and
attend to all matters within the scope of his office, and
whether a member of the Service is nominally on duty or off
duty his responsibility shall be the same and it shall be his
duty to take action for the protection of life and property
against fire.
23. If any member of the Service disposes of, whether
by pawn, sale, destruction, loss or otherwise, or wilfully or
negligently injures any equipment, clothing or necessaries
issued for the use of the Service he may, in addition to any
other punishment, be required by the Chief Fire Officer to
make good the amount of such loss or damage by stoppages
out of his pay.
24. Every member of the Service who shall be
dismissed from or cease to hold or exercise his office in the
Service shall forthwith deliver up to the officer in charge of
the unit in which he is serving all clothing, personal
equipment and Government property which may have been
supplied to him or entrusted to his care, and on default in so
doing shall be liable to pay for such items.
25. Where a person ceases to be a member of the
Service he shall be given a certificate signed by the
Chief Fire Officer showing his rank and setting out the
period of his service in the Service and the reason, cause or
manner of his leaving the Service and the Chief Fire Officer
may include in the certificate any comments of
commendation which he feels justified in making.
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Charges in
special services.

Standing
orders.
Provided that where such person was required to resign
or was dismissed, the certificate shall not contain any
description of the circumstances in which he was required to
resign or was dismissed.
26. (1) The Chief Fire Officer may make in accordance
with this regulation for any special services of the Service
requested by any person for purposes other than fire fighting
purposes.
(2) Whenever the services of the Service are
requested by any person for purposes other than fire fighting
purposes that person shall be required to sign an agreement
in writing to pay for such services:
Provided that if the signing of any such agreement
would cause delay endangering life or property the special
services of the Service may be rendered forthwith and the
agreement signed when circumstances permit.
(3) Any special service which in the opinion of
the Chief Fire Officer or other officer in charge of a unit is of a
humanitarian nature shall be rendered free of charge.
(4) The charges for the special services of the
Service shall be set out in Standing Orders and shall be
shown on the forms of agreement required to be signed by
persons requiring the special services of the Service.
(5) Nothing in this regulation shall prejudice any
right of the Government or any member of the Service to
participate in the proceeds of any salvage claim.
27. The Chief Fire Officer may from time to time
make such Standing Orders as he may think necessary for the
management of the Service generally; but such Standing
Orders shall not in any respect be inconsistent with any law
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Application of
Regulations
and General
Orders.
Reg. 18(1)
relating to the Service for the time being in force.
28. All regular members of the Service shall in respect
of any matter not provided for in the Regulations, be subject
to the provisions of such Regulations and General Orders as
from time to time regulate the service of public officers.
__________
FIRST SCHEDULE
PAY AND ALLOWANCES
PART 1
PAY
1. The pay of the Chief Fire Officer and all regular
members of the Service shall be such as may be prescribed
from time to time by the Minister responsible for finance out
of moneys provided by Parliament.
2. Where a regular member of the Service is promoted
to a rank the minimum salary of which is less than or the
same as the maximum salary of the rank from which he is
promoted and at the date of his promotion he is in receipt of
salary not less than the minimum of the rank to which he had
been promoted he shall be granted one increment in his new
scale with effect from the date of his promotion.
3. (1) A fireman who is a regular member of the
Service and who has fifteen years’ service may be granted a
long service increment in his pay if the Chief Fire Officer is
satisfied that he is of good conduct and has shown zeal and
proficiency in the performance of his duties.
(2) A fireman who has been in receipt of a long
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service increment for a period of not less than five years may
be granted a further long service increment in his pay if the
Chief fire Officer is satisfied that he has continued to be
good conduct and to show zeal and proficiency in the
performance of his duties.
4. Where a member of the Service has immediately
before his appointment of the Service served with the
Georgetown Fire Service or the New Amsterdam Fire
Service, such part of such service as is continuous with his
service in the Service shall count as service in the Service for
the purposes of paragraph 3 of this part of this Schedule and
paragraph 7 of the Fourth Schedule.
5. (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), auxiliary members
of the Service when called out for service shall be paid at the
same rate as regular members of the Service of equivalent
rank.
(2) An auxiliary member of the Service called out for
service shall receive the full daily rate of pay for duty in
excess of 4 hours in any one day, but one-half of such rate in
respect of duty of hours or less:
Provided, however, that in any special case where the
lower rate of pay would entail financial loss to the auxiliary
member the Chief Fire Officer may in his discretion
authorise payment at the higher rate.
6. Auxiliary members of the Service shall be paid at
the rates prescribed by the Minister responsible for finance in
respect of drills attended by them subject to a maximum of 80
drills in any one year.
PART II
ALLOWANCES

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Reg. 20
[4 of 1972]
1. A regular member of the Service who is absent on
duty from his home and usual place of duty and necessarily
incurs additional expense in obtaining food or lodging or
both shall be paid a subsistence allowance on the conditions
and at the rates applicable to members of the public service of
corresponding salary status:
Provided that nothing in this paragraph shall entitle a
member of the Service to any subsistence allowance in
respect of absence from his home and usual place of duty for
the purpose of attendance at a fire or special service or at a
drill or ambulance call.
2. A subordinate fire officer or fireman who is
employed on a continuous duty system by reason of an
emergency may be provided with free meals during such
period.
3. A regular member of the Service shall, on the
recommendation of the Chief Fire Officer, be granted duty,
travelling or transport allowances on the same conditions as
those under which such allowances are payable to
members of the public service.
4. Any member of the Service who performs or assists
in performing a special service for which a labour charge is
made under regulation 26 of these Regulations shall be
entitled to such proportion of that charge as may be
prescribed from time to time in Standing Orders.
_____________________
SECOND SCHEDULE
ADMISSION, PROBATION AND TRAINING
1. The minimum qualifications required of an
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applicant for appointment as a regular fireman shall be as
follows—
(1) He must be a Commonwealth citizen of not
less than 18 and not more than 35 years of age.
(2) He must after examination by a
Government Medical Officer be certified to be in good health,
of sound constitution and suited both physically and
mentally to perform the duties on which he will be employed
after appointment.
(3) He must satisfy the Chief Fire Officer by
undergoing a simple educational test to be set by such body
as the Minister shall determine that he has attained an
educational standard necessary for him to receive the training
and subsequently to perform the duties of a fireman.
(4) He must pass a simple strength test set by
the Chief Fire Officer.
(5) He must be of good character and not
have been convicted of any criminal offence of a nature
which would in the opinion of the Chief Fire Officer render
him unsuitable for service in the Service.
2. The minimum qualifications required of an
applicant for appointment as an auxiliary member of the
Service shall be as follows—
(1) He must be a Commonwealth citizen of not
less than 18 years of age.
(2) He must after examination by a
Government Medical Officer be certified to be in good health,
of sound constitution and suited both physically and
mentally to performthe duties on which he will be employed
after appointment.
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(3) He must be of good character and not
have been convicted of any criminal offence of a nature
which would in the opinion of the Chief Fire Officer render
him unsuitable for service in the Service.
3. Every person on being enrolled in the Service
as a regular member in the rank of fireman shall be
placed on probation for 2 years and if at any time within the
said period of 2 years he shows by his conduct or otherwise
that he is not likely to become a suitable fireman the Chief
Fire Officer may discharge him on one month's notice:
Provided that nothing in this paragraph shall apply to
any regular fireman deemed to be appointed to the Service
under section 9 of the Act.
4. A member of the Service on probation shall, before
the expiration of his probationary period, satisfy the Chief
Fire Officer that he has become proficient in the driving of
heavy vehicles or the handling of fire boats, first aid to the
injured and practical fireman-ship, and may for that purpose
be required to pass tests in those matters.
5. (1) Every regular member of the Service of the rank
of subordinate fire officer or fireman, unless specially or
generally excused by the Chief Fire Officer, shall undergo
periodic training in fireman's duties appropriate to his rank.
Such training shall be performed on week days, excluding
public holidays, and shall not normally exceed 8 hours in any
week unless in the opinion of the Chief Fire Officer the
number of hours of such training should be extended.
(2) Every auxiliary member of the Service of the
rank of subordinate fire officer or fireman, unless specially or
generally excused by the Chief Fire Officer, shall undergo
periodic training in fireman's duties appropriate to his rank.
Such training shall be performed at such times and places as
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the Chief Fire Officer shall direct and shall not normally
exceed 50 hours in any year unless in the opinion of the Chief
Fire Officer the number of hours of such training should be
extended.
(3) No member of the Service who is over 50 years
of age shall be required to perform training which in the
opinion of the Chief Fire Officer is physically exhausting.
6. For the purpose of paragraph 5 of this
Schedule, “training in fireman’s duties” shall be deemed to
include the following:
(1) all drills mentioned in the Fire Service Drill
Book;

(2) pump drills, wet and dry;
(3) ladder drills;
(4) escape drills;
(5) carrying down drills and practical rescue
work;
(6) combined drills including foam drills;
(7) hose drills;
(8) ambulance drills including stretcher drills;
(9) pump operating and fault finding;
(10) training with respect to knots and lines;
(11) fire boat drills and exercises;
(12) rowing, sculling, steering and navigation;
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Reg. 21
[4 of 1972]
(13) communication exercises;
(14) first aid to the injured;

(15) fitness training;
(16) squad drill;
(17) watchroom procedure;
(18) lectures and film shows on fire service
matters;
(19) driving; and
(20) combined exercises during the day or night.
7. All auxiliary members of the Service shall retire
from the Service on attaining the age of 55 years.
___________
THIRD SCHEDULE
UNIFORM
1. Uniform and equipment issued to members of the
Service shall be of such design and shall be worn in such
manner as is laid down in Standing Orders.
2. (1) When any article of uniform or equipment has
been replaced by some other article, the replaced article shall
be handed in to the Service store, unless the member of the
Service, with the consent of the Chief Fire Officer, buys such
replaced article at a price to be fixed by the Chief Fire Officer.

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(2) Uniform and equipment returned to the
Service store shall not be reissued to any other member of the
Service until it has received any necessary cleaning or
renovation and is in serviceable condition.
3. All officers shall be provided with uniform and
equipment free of charge in accordance with the following
scale:
(1) 1 fire helmet
(2) 2 fire tunics
(3) 1 belt
(4) 1 axe
(5) 1 axe pouch
(6) 1 belt line
(7) 1 whistle and chain
(8) 4 sets of badges of rank
(9) 1 waterproof coat
(10) 1 pair of rubber boots
(11) 2 pairs of leather shoes
(12) 4 sets of K.D. shorts and bush jackets
(13) 1 cap
(14) 1 cap ornament
(15) 2 pairs of serge trousers
(16) 1 serge tunic
(17) 3 sets of buttons
(18) 2 white shirts
(19) 1 black tie
(20) 2 pairs of black socks
(21) 2 pairs of khaki stockings
(22) Drill Book
(23) 1 set of Manuals of Firemanship
(24) 1 white ceremonial tunic:
Provided that—
(a) auxiliary members shall be
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provided with one only of the articles
of uniform set out in items (2), (11),
(18), (20) and (21), two only of the
articles of uniform set out in item (17)
and two only of the articles of
uniform set out in items (8) and (12);
and
(b) all items are replaced only as they
become worn out.
4. All subordinate fire officers and firemen shall be
provided with uniform and equipment free of charge
in accordance with the following scale:
(1) 1 fire helmet
(2) 2 fire jerseys
(3) 1 belt
(4) 1 axe
(5) 1 axe pouch
(6) 1 belt line
(7) 1 whistle and chain
(8) 3 sets of badges of rank
(9) 1 waterproof coat
(10) 1 pair of rubber boots
(11) 2 pairs of leather shoes
(12) 2 pairs of socks
(13) 4 pairs of trousers
(14) 4 bush jackets
(15) 2 caps and covers
(16) 1 cap ornament
(17) 2 sets of numerals
(18) 2 pairs of overalls
(19) 2 sets of buttons
(20) 1 pair of yachting shoes
(21) 1 southwester hat
(22) 1 clasp knife
(23) 6 white tunics
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(24) 1 pair of swimming trunks
(25) Drill Book
(26) 1 set of Manual of Fireman-ship
(27) 1 white ceremonial tunic
(28) 1 pair of trousers (white)
(29) 1 jumper (white)
(30) 1 scarf (black)
(31) 1 lanyard (white)
(32) 1 sailor's cap (white)
(33) 1 cap ribbon:
Provided that—
(a) items (7), (22) and (26) be issued
only to leading firemen, section
leaders and sub- officers;
(b) item (23) shall be issued only to
firemen who regularly perform
ambulance duties;
(c) items (20), (21), (24), (28), (29), (30),
(31), (32) and (33) shall be issued only
to members of the Service who
generally perform fire-boat duties;
(d) only items (12), (13), (14), (15) and
(18) shall be an annual issue the
remaining items being replaced as
they become worn out; and
(e) auxiliary members of the Service
shall be provided with one only of
the articles of uniform set out in items
(2), (12), (13), (14), (15) and (18), and
that all items issued to auxiliary
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members shall be replaced only as
they become worn out.
5. Bedding shall be issued to each subordinate fire
officer and fireman as follows—
1 Blanket
2 sheets
1 pillow
2 pillow cases.
6. All articles of uniform, bedding and equipment
issued to any member of the Service shall be marked with the
identification mark of the member.
_____________________
Note Promotion
By virtue of section 12(1) of the Guyana Independence Order,
regulation 22A (regulation 22 in the original Regulations) of the
above Regulations (the Fire, Service Regulations) continues to have
effect (until the Commissioner otherwise directs) as if it were a
delegation made by the Public Service Commission under article
96(2) of the Constitution.
Regulation 22A reads as follows:
The qualifications for and the rules governing promotion to
any rank of subordinate fire officer shall be as set out in the
following Schedule.
_____________________

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reg. 22A
Reg. 10/1965.
FOURTH SCHEDULE
PROMOTIONS
1. In this Schedule “promotion” means promotion to
any rank of subordinate fire officer.
2. All promotions shall be made by the Chief Fire
Officer provided that promotions to the rank of sub-officer
shall only be made with the approval of the Minister.
3. In order to assist the Chief Fire Officer in matters of
promotion a Selection Committee shall be established
consisting of three members of the Service appointed by the
Chief Fire Officer.
4. It shall be the duty of the Selection Committee to
interview and examine all candidates for promotion and to
make such recommendations as they think fit to the Chief
Fire Officer, but the Chief Fire Officer shall not be bound to
act in accordance with the Selection Committee's
recommendation.
5. Members of the Service shall be considered for
promotion to ranks above that of leading fireman on merit,
and seniority shall only be taken into account where in the
opinion of the Selection Committee candidates for
promotion are otherwise of equal merit.
6. All members of the Service shall have equal
opportunity for promotion regardless of any specialist
duties on which they are or may have been engaged.
7. No regular member of the Service shall be
promoted unless he has completed three years service:

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Provided that a member of the Service who has
successfully completed an overseas training course approved
by the Chief Fire Officer shall be exempted from the
requirement to be examined for promotion.
8. When a vacancy occurs in any rank above that
of leading fireman the vacancy shall be notified to all
members of the Service and every member holding rank
immediately below that in which the vacancy exists shall
have the right to become a candidate and to cause himself to
be examined for promotion.
9. When examining a candidate with a view to
assessing his suitability for promotion, the Selection
Committee shall cause the candidate to take a written, a
practical and an oral examination to be set by the Chief Fire
Officer all of which shall be so designed as to reveal the
candidate's knowledge of the subjects, skill in practical
firemanship and ability to command men.
10. (1) All questions in the written examination shall
be set by the Chief Fire Officer who shall cause the questions
to be kept secret until the commencement of the examination.
(2) The written examination shall be so prepared
that candidates shall have a reasonable opportunity of
answering all questions required to be answered in the
specified time.
11. The oral and practical examinations shall be
conducted by the Selection Committee and the records of the
examinations shall contain details of the questions asked or
tasks set, the maximum marks awarded each correct answer
or correctly performed task the name of the candidate and the
marks obtained by him on each question or task.
12. The records of all promotion examinations
shall be kept by the Chief Fire Officer and a member of the
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Service who passes any such examination for promotion to a
particular rank need not offer himself for examination again
for promotion to that rank.
13. The fact that a member of the Service has passed a
promotion examination shall only qualify him to be
considered for promotion.
14. Nothing is this Schedule shall preclude the Chief
Fire Officer or other officer in charge of a unit from making
temporary appointments of subordinate fire officers on an
unpaid basis if the exigencies of the Service so require.
___________________
By virtue of section 12(1) of the Guyana Independence Order,
regulation 23A (regulation 23 in the original Regulations) of the
above Regulations (the Fire Service Regulations) continues to have
effect (until the Commissioner otherwise directs) as if it were a
delegation made by the Public Service Commission under article
96(2) of the Constitution.
Regulation 23A reads as follows:
(1) The provisions of Part II and Part IV of the
Police Regulations relating to discipline shall, subject to
paragraph (2) of this regulation, apply to members of the Fire
Service.
(2) For the purpose of paragraph (1) of this
regulation, the provisions of the Police Regulations
mentioned therein shall have effect as if there were
substituted for the Police Force designations set out in the
first column of the following Schedule to these Regulations
the corresponding Fire Service designations set out in the
second column of the said Schedule.
_____________________
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Reg. 23A
[4 of 1972]
Reg. 3/1964.
Citation.
Penalty.
FIFTH SCHEDULE
SUBSTITUTION OF FIRE SERVICE DESIGNATIONS IN
POLICE REGULATIONS
Police Force Designation Fire Brigade designation
to be substituted.
“Force” and “Police
Force”
“Service”
“Commissioner” “Chief Fire Officer”
“superintendent” “Deputy Chief Fire
Officer”
“assistant
superintendent”
“station officer”
“officer” “officer of the Service”
“inspector” and “sub-
inspector”
“sub-officer”
“non-commissioned
officer” and “sub-
officer”
“subordinate fire
officer”
“constable” “fireman”
“General Orders” and
Police
“General Orders”
“standing Orders of the
Service”
_______________________
FIRE SERVICE (FIRE HYDRANTS) REGULATIONS
made under section 28
1. These Regulations may be cited as the Fire Service
(Fire Hydrants) Regulations.
2. Any person who obstructs any fire hydrant
otherwise than in, consequence of its use shall be liable on
summary conviction to a fine of twenty-five dollars:
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Provided that it shall not amount to an obstruction under
these Regulations if a vehicle is in such a position that no part
of the vehicle is within five feet of an imaginary line
connecting any fire hydrant with the nearest point on the
edge of any carriage way.
______________________