Firetrucks to El Salvador
The Rotary World Help Network includes some 40 metro Vancouver Rotary Clubs that co-operate to ship humanitarian aid, including medical and educational equipment and materials to developing countries. Since it's creation in 1992 the Rotary world help Network has combined the efforts of its many member clubs to ship containers with a total value of over 20 million dollars to countries throughout the world.
Three fire trucks are about to start their long journey from Vancouver to El Salvador thanks the efforts the efforts of the Vancouver Fire and Rescue Service, the City of Vancouver, Rotary Clubs of the lower mainland and the Rotary World Help Network.
The Vancouver Fire and Rescue Service has a long standing relationship with the National Fire Service of El Salvador. Over the past several years the Vancouver Fire and Rescue Service has collected and donated a wide assortment of personal protection equipment including boots, jackets, helmets and other gear to firefighters in El Salvador.
On Monday January 14, 2008, Rotarians from the greater Vancouver area, Vancouver Fire and rescue personnel , the Consul general of El Salvador and civic officials gathered on the grounds of Vancouver City Hall for a hand-over ceremony for three decommissioned fire trucks, all in good working order, that are being shipped to the developing country of El Salvador.
The idea to transfer the fire fighting equipment was the idea of Brian Hutcheson a Vancouver firefighter. With the support of other firefighters, Hutcheson was able to get permission from the City of Vancouver to donate the equipment rather then disposing of it, and then set about to refurbish the old but dependable equipment. Securing the trucks, refurbishing them and finally shipping them to El Salvador represents the culmination of four years of hard work and a partnership with the Rotary World Help Network.
Eleven Rotary Clubs, including the Rotary Club of Tsawwassen, the Rotary Club of White Rock Peace Arch, the Rotary Club of North Delta, the Rotary Club of Vancouver, the Rotary Club of Vancouver Chinatown, the Rotary Club of Whistler, the Rotary Club of Richmond Sunrise, the Rotary Club of Burnaby, the Rotary Club of Burnaby Metrotown, the Rotary Club of Vancouver South and the Rotary Club of Steveston working through the Rotary World Help Network have raised sufficient funds to pay for the transport of the fire trucks to their new but distant home.
The culmination of this partnership project is yet another great example of the positive impact Rotary has on people's lives throughout the world.
(photos by Chris Offer)