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.