South West 999
Special Report
Cornish Appliance is donated to Croatia.
Page 1
The Dodge appliance is seen on the forecourt of Launceston fire station. The white Tesco lorry features due to the sponsorship kindly provided by Tescos. The two Launceston fire fighters are Dave Hill on the left and Andy Oak on the right.
Press Release from Rotary International
The small Croatian community of Staza is located approximately 10 miles north of both the Bosnian and Serbian borders and when the war commenced in 1992 it was the first to be attacked. The village of approximately 450 people occupying 95 houses saw all their homes, the community centre, church, fire station, school and other buildings destroyed by artillery and tank fire. The village was virtually flattened.
In 1995 at the conclusion of hostilities most of the community returned to their village and their houses were gradually rebuilt with government and European Community help. Villagers got together and decided that they would combine their efforts and re-build other features. Hard work, team-work and pride has resulted in the re-building of the community centre, fire station and church – during the next year each should be completed.
The town of Sisak some 30 miles to the north first had a fire service in 403 AD when the Romans were in occupation and there has been a very close association with fire fighting within Croatia ever since. Each community is required to have a fire fighting capability although in many local authority areas such as Sunja which includes Staza this has been limited. Members of District 1290 of Rotary International became aware of this and decided to do something about it.
In less than 12 months the Cornwall County Fire Brigade has given Rotary two fire appliances. The first was taken to Gradusa Posavska (located about 7 miles from Staza) in November 2003 and on 30th September 2004 the second arrived at Staza. Rotarians within the District (Cornwall, Plymouth and West Devon) raised money for fuel, ferry fares etc and were able to provide a HGV driver. Firefighters based at Launceston were approached and two, Leading Firefighter Andy Oak and Firefighter Dave Hill, volunteered to drive the appliance the 1300 plus miles across Europe to Croatia with Rotarian Hugh Pendray of the Looe Valley Club. The two firefighters raised funds themselves and ensured that the appliance was fully equipped with everything the volunteer firemen of Staza would require.
On arrival at Staza firefighters Dave and Andy spent two days training local personnel as some of the equipment was new to them. Whilst this was being undertaken other Rotarians including Mark Jewell (Saltram) Dave Kaye (Plymouth), Phil Evans (Looe Valley) and Barry Kressinger (Launceston) – all members of Rotary’s Overseas Project team - visited schools, hospitals etc seeking a further project to undertake at Easter 2005. It is likely that the Team will try to help a school and kindergarten at Sunja and a hospital/home for children suffering serious effects of cerebral palsy at Kraljevica near Rijeka – some eighteen months ago the Team built a playroom for the home.
Firefighter Dave Hill commenting on the trip stated; “The volunteer firefighters at Staza are a very enthusiastic bunch but their equipment consisting of an old Mercedes van with a portable diesel pump and lengths of hose real provided very limited fire fighting capability. The Dodge appliance given to them may have seen many years of service in Cornwall but it is in first-class condition and will last for years.”
Rotarian Barry Kressinger speaking on behalf of the Rotary Team said; “It has been a pleasure to help this small Croatian community which has worked hard over the years to re-build its village. Staza now has a modern fire appliance which I know will be well looked after by the volunteer brigade and help them provide a much improved service. We are indebted to the Chief Fire Officer and his staff for their help and encouragement. The Launceston firefighters are great guys and played a very important part in this project. We are very grateful for the sponsorship they obtained to purchase additional equipment and we would also like to thank Imerys Minerals and Lostwithiel Rotary Club for their generous financial support.
D316KCV is a 1986 Dodge G13C/HCB-Angus Pumping appliance. It initially served at Truro until it was transferred to Wadebridge where it was replaced in 2001 and then entered service as a county spare appliance. It came out of operational use in mid 2004.
Cornish Appliance is donated to Croatia page 2