Okay guys and gals, I try not to use this forum for “bully pulpit” functions, and I apologize if this offends anyone but we are getting desperate…

Does anyone have any high level contacts within the military or government?

On behalf of Vincent Forras of the Gear Up Foundation (http://www.gear-up.org/main.htm ) and others from Paramedics for Children (http://www.paramedicsforchildren.com ) we are trying to arrange air transport (C130?) of a donated fire engine (from Ronkonkoma, L.I.), equipment and personnel to Indonesia for the relief effort.

If you do have any high level contacts and would be willing to intervene on our behalf, please PM me ASAP.

Thanks Pete

http://www.af.mil/main/contactus.asp

Let them know your situation, give them full details, and say pretty please <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> they may be able to work something out.

Thanks.

Pete

No problem. Stuff like this happens for sure, I just don't know of any other official channel to go through unless someone knows somebody up top, so if someone knows how this works by all means keep trying to work something out.

I seem to recall a C-130 transported a privately owned stewart tank for a reenactment, but I don't know the deal they worked out for it; if it was paid for, or if the guys did it pro bono. If the plane was already headed that way, or if it had to go out of it's way to make the trip. Regardless, I wish you luck. Given the distances involved, it might even take a C-17 or C-5

Anyway, shoot em a message and hopefully they'll reply <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Pete -

What kind of weight are we talking about -- 10 tons?

wolfchasm

To be honest, I have no idea. If I can get a hold of Vinny, I will try and find out. I have not received any returns to my e-mails to him today.

We are trying to head over to the disaster area this Sunday, but things are still up in the air.

Pete

Pete,

I think this is a tremendously generous gift. But I have to ask- do you know that they NEED a fire engine? IMHO, it would seem to me that that much lifting capacity would be better used for food, clean water, and medical supplies for the impending cholera epidemic. Anything else at this point would just get in the way.

They'll find use for any type of emergency vehicle

Eventually, yes, they will. But do they need it more than food and clean water? Not at this point, I'm guessing.

I hear what you're saying man, but you give what you can. These guys don't have extra food and water to give, they have a firetruck.

Hi Pete:

These are the UN contacts in Indonesia for relief. Please contact these people before sending anything. They may also give you further contacts.

COORDINATION CONTACTS:
Aceh:
On-Site Operation and Coordination Centre: IOM Office- Jl. Sudirman, No.32
Focal Point: Mr. Charlie Higgins – HP: 0813 192 822 94
Reception Centre in Aceh:
Focal Point: Mr. Kadir Maiden Mohamed, - HP: 0811 192 822 96
Jakarta:
Joint Logistic Centre: WFP Office – Wisma Kyoei Prince, Jl. Sudirman (tel: 570 9004/5)
Focal Point: Mr. Nigel Snoad – HP- 0813 192 233 37

And also a small note from OSSOC:

The Government of Indonesia has issued a statement concerning International Assistance Coordination Measures. Relevant contact point in the United Nations in Jakarta is Oliver Lacey-Hall, Tel: +62 81 319 282293, email: lacey-hall@un.org and copy to [email]olh16@hotmail.com.[/email]

Good luck,
Burak

I will have to defer the answer to that question to Vincent Forras, from the Gear Up Foundation. You may be correct, that it a need further down the priority list. He has contacts with Fire Service officials in various countries. It could be a request to replace lost or damaged equipment. Areas inland from the directly affected communities are experiencing shortages of equipment and supplies, so it might be to replace or bolster equipment shortages in those areas.

I do know that there is currently more food and supplies that can be logistically sent to those areas in immediate need, although with the use of helicopters that is somewhat being addressed.

If I find out any more details, I will pass it along.

Pete

Thanks Burak,

I wil pass the info along.

Pete

If it does get bumped to a low priority, perhaps it might be better to ship it via container. Does it fit into a container?

I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and ideas.

The transportation issue seems to have been solved. I received an e-mail form Vinny saying an organization called Airline Ambassadors Foundation will handle the transportation to Thailand in early February, which is a change from the original proposal. Apparently the logistical requirements to get the engine to Indonesia are not available at this time.

I still do not know if I will be leaving soon with Paramedics for Children to Indonesia or with Gear Up to Thailand in February. Hopefully, I will hear in the next day or so.

I still owe a couple of the survival kits, but they will have to wait a little longer before I can get them together and send them out. Sorry

Pete