Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Tori Barrett | The Guam Fire Department, working with the Western Pacific Islands Association of Fire...... read more read more
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Story by Guam Fire Dept. and Coast Guard Sector Guam
SANTA RITA, Guam — The Guam Fire Department, working with the Western Pacific Islands Association of Fire Chiefs, recently conducted a relief drive on Guam for our brothers and sisters in the neighboring island of Rota in the wake of Typhoon Mangkhut, which made landfall Sept. 10.
Together with the community and business establishments, the Guam Fire Department collected over ten pallets of canned goods, butane stoves, clothing, flashlights, and batteries. The “Ayuda Luta” program showed the scale to which the Mariana Islands come together in times of need.
Acting Fire Chief, Joey San Nicolas expressed his sincerest appreciation of the Guam community, “I would like to thank the many individuals and corporations, whom through their generous donations, made this relief drive a success.”
With these donations; however, came the logistical issue of transporting the contributions to Rota. As they have done numerous times in the past, Coast Guard Sector Guam immediately stepped up to assist. Loaded on the Coast Guard Cutter Kiska (WPB 1336), living up to their name as the “Guardians of Micronesia,” the pallets of cargo were underway to Rota Wednesday. Within five hours, the Mayor of Rota, Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, and Port of Rota Police received these much-needed supplies.
Capt. Christopher Chase, commander, Coast Guard Sector Guam, stated, “Partnering with the Guam Fire Department fortifies our emergency response capabilities to protect the Oceania region. We are always responsive to the needs of the island communities we serve here in the Pacific. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the people of Rota and those impacted by Typhoon Mangkhut.”
“The camaraderie between the U.S. Coast Guard and the Guam Fire Department is phenomenal; from working together in day to day operations, to projects like these that go above and beyond,” remarked San Nicolas, “the Coast Guard has always been willing to go to great lengths to support the people of Guam, the Marianas, and Micronesia.”
Governor Calvo thanked the Guam Fire Department, its community partners and everyone who assisted in this island to island effort. "During times of emergency, it is so important that we work together to build each other back up again," said Calvo. "I want to thank the U.S. Coast Guard for assisting us to move these donations quickly to those who need it most, and I want to commend the leadership of the Guam Fire Department on spearheading this effort in helping our brothers and sisters of Rota to rebuild their home and return to normalcy."
It is this collaboration between local and federal agencies that strengthen our Islands, reinforces the culture of hospitality that we are known for, and promises more significant accomplishments in the future.
| Date Taken: | 09.20.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 09.21.2018 19:54 |
| Story ID: | 294007 |
| Location: | GU |
| Web Views: | 87 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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