U.S. Donates Rescue Equipment to Belize Fire Service

Belize’s emergency response capacity received a boost this morning with the official handover of rescue equipment to the National Fire Service of Belize during a ceremony held at the headquarters in Belize City.  The equipment was provided through support from the United States Embassy in Belize, strengthening ongoing cooperation between Belize and the United States in disaster preparedness and emergency response.  The ceremony brought together government officials, members of the National Fire Service, and representatives of the U.S. Embassy. Speaking at the event, Minister Henry Usher emphasized the importance of continued investment in the country’s disaster preparedness and emergency response systems, noting that the additional equipment will help firefighters better respond to emergencies and protect communities across Belize.

Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service: “We’re here today to acknowledge the donation by the US Embassy in Belize and the US South Command in terms of the equipment provided to the National Fire Service. Equipment valued at close to $3 million Belize Dollars. As you can see in this room we have various equipment. We have the full gear for the firefighters. We have the oxygen tanks. We have the jaws of life, the different hearse equipment. So really the portable generators, et cetera, we’re appreciative of it. We’re thankful to the government of the United States for assisting the National Fire Service, not only with this donation of equipment, but in terms of infrastructure as well. They’ve partnered with us to build new fire stations in Dangriga, in Belmopan, hopefully soon in San Ignacio, and of course to rebuild the national headquarters for the National Fire Service. And in addition to that, we have had training, we have had different works being done in terms of building capacity within the fire service as well. So we’re appreciative and certainly we’re grateful to the Chargé for coming and for being a part of this handover ceremony.”

Also addressing the ceremony was Katherine Beamer, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy, who reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting Belize’s emergency services and disaster management efforts.

Katherine Beamer, Charge’d Affaires, US Embassy: “This is a donation that has been orchestrated by the U.S. Southern Commands, Humanitarian Assistance Program. And I have a hard-working team at the Embassy here who’s been working for several years now with the National Fire Service to identify what they need and how and what types of things we can donate to help improve their firefighting capability and their safety while they’re out there battling the blazes and assisting victims of car accidents and different emergency situations here. So we have everything from PPE to Jaws of Life and oxygen tanks for firefighters, all kinds of different material that will be distributed throughout the country to support the National Fire Service.”

Following the remarks, officials conducted an inspection of the emergency equipment before it was formally handed over to the National Fire Service. The new resources are expected to enhance the agency’s operational readiness as it responds to fires, disasters, and other emergencies nationwide. /