Local fire service personnel ready to assist Haiti

Tuesday, February 2, 2010 – Chief Fire Officer Leslie Fontenelle, says the Saint Lucia Fire and Emergency Services department remains in stand-by mode to render assistance to Haiti.

Fontenelle says since the earthquake which left Haiti 's over ten thousand square miles a scene of rubble and destruction, the department has identified a core of trained personnel who could be dispatched upon the request of the coordinating agencies.

“On January 13 we got an active call from the RSS—that is the Regional Security System that at the time was coordinating a Caribbean-wide response to Haiti. We have offered our services in terms of our search and rescue personnel,” Fontenelle said.

So far one Saint Lucian fireman was requested and sent off to Haiti as of January 20. He says the offer will remain open as long as the situation in Haiti remains urgent.

“The situation in Haiti currently is still a dire one. Reports of sorrow, hardship and pain still continue in Haiti. I imagine those persons who would have been on the ground for some time, will at some point require some relief. Until the situation returns to a measure of normalcy, there will be need for assistance,” Fontenelle said.

In addition, the Saint Lucia Fire and Emergency Services has embarked on a fund-raising drive on behalf of Haiti. The funds will soon be turned over to the National Emergency Management Office.

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