Joint Services zero in on CWC security
Guyana Chronicle
February 1, 2007
THE Joint Services yesterday wrapped up a two-day session that focused on crucial security aspects for the successful staging of Cricket World Cup 2007 matches here.
Officials said the training was an initiative of Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier General Edward Collins, in his capacity as Chairman of the Joint Services Coordinating Council.
More than 125 Joint Services personnel participated in the session which officials said focused specifically on areas in which the grouping will be involved for CWC 2007.
The objective was also to prepare the Joint Services to support other agencies should any eventualities occur, they explained.
Venue for the exercise was the auditorium in the GDF Base Camp Ayanganna, Thomas Lands, Georgetown.
Forum coordinator, Colonel Frank Bispham, briefing the media prior to the start of the closing session yesterday afternoon, noted that while a Local Organising Committee (LOC) is tasked with the overall responsibility for CWC 2007, “the Joint Services need to do their role/part, to subscribe to any scenario, events that may involve the Joint Services.”
Areas examined included aspects of bomb disposal, grouping, bomb threats, fire, protest, and possible collapse of the stadium at Providence.
Bispham said that in addition to the Joint Services - the GDF, Police, Prisons and the Fire Service - the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) also has an important role to play during the CWC period.
A detailed presentation by Superintendent Simon McBean of the Guyana Police Force, during the first half of the closing session, dealt with the security arrangements for teams, officials, media and sponsors (TOMS), from the time of arrival at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, up to the time of departure.
These include at hotel, on team buses, the respective dressing rooms and even at night spots.
Participants were also afforded the opportunity to seek clarification on areas on which they were not clear.
The issue of intelligence was scheduled for the latter segment, at which it was reported that Heads of the Joint Services would have been present.