Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn and Permanent Secretary, Mae Tussaint Jr. Thomas, on Wednesday, said farewell to the Chief Fire Officer, Marlon Gentle DSM, who served the Guyana Fire Service for the past 36 years and has now retired.
At a simple farewell ceremony held at the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) Headquarters, Minister Benn thanked Gentle for his dedicated service to Guyana, and for leaving the GFS with an overall improved outlook, inclusive of better systems, more assets, and better services, from what he inherited. The Minister noted that our responsibility is to ensure a better life is passed on to the next generation, than what we ourselves have inherited. He further encouraged the fire fighters to continue to build, optimize and improve their service to Guyana.
Gentle, in his outgoing remarks challenged the fire fighters to do better than him, to be their brothers and sisters’ keeper and to listen to each other. He stated that there is no “I” in team. He also charged the officers to support the new leadership of the GFS and to remember the requisite and prerequisite of discipline which is “Obedience to your Superiors and Consideration for your Subordinates”.
Gentle further expressed his gratitude to Minister Benn, noting the helpful and cooperative nature of the Minister in working for the good of Guyana. He recalled the many occasions that Minister Benn, during his tenure as Minister of Public Works, assisted him in his work as a fire fighter.
These occasions were during the 2005 floods, the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital fire, and other fires on Regent Street Georgetown.
Secretary Thomas handed over the ceremonial colors to Mr. Kalamadeen Edoo who now has responsibility for the noble office of Chief Fire Officer.
