Overview:
After greater than 20 years with out hearth safety companies, Port-de-Paix has acquired a fireplace truck and an ambulance by a donation from the Canadian Peace and Safety Officers Coaching Affiliation (CPSOTA). The emergency automobiles are a part of a $3 million package deal from the diaspora-linked nonprofit group to assist rehabilitate and strengthen emergency companies nationwide.
PORT-DE-PAIX— After greater than 20 years and not using a functioning hearth service, residents of Port-de-Paix have welcomed the arrival of a long-awaited hearth truck and ambulance — gear they hope will mark a turning level for public security within the Northwest Division’s largest metropolis.
The automobiles have been donated by the Canadian Peace and Safety Officers Coaching Affiliation (CPSOTA), a Montreal-based nonprofit supported by members of the Haitian diaspora. The cargo is a part of a broader $3 million donation that has delivered 13 hearth vans and 10 ambulances throughout Haiti in latest months to strengthen the nation’s emergency response capability.
For a lot of Haitians, entry to fundamental hearth and rescue companies stays inconsistent or nonexistent. Outdoors Port-au-Prince and some main cities, municipalities usually lack skilled personnel, functioning gear and dependable funding. Fires, floods and visitors accidents ceaselessly go away residents to fend for themselves, counting on neighbors with buckets of water, unconventional strategies or improvised transport to hospitals.
Port-de-Paix, a coastal metropolis of over 400,000 folks and the capital of the Northwest Division, had gone greater than 20 years and not using a formal hearth division, in response to native officers and residents.
Mayor Josué Alusma instructed The Haitian Occasions the gear arrived on Feb. 12 after he appealed to central authorities authorities. The revived hearth prevention and rescue service, beforehand hooked up to the departmental police, will now function beneath Metropolis Corridor administration.
“It’s due to our advocacy that this gear has arrived right here in Port-de-Paix to serve and defend all residents of my municipality,” Alusma mentioned.
Some residents, nonetheless, questioned the mayor’s declare of credit score, noting longstanding infrastructure challenges within the metropolis.
For others, the main target is much less on politics and extra on safety.
“For a big city space like Port-de-Paix, it was unacceptable and really dangerous to function with out a minimum of one hearth division,” mentioned Jocelin Oscar, 35. “We stay right here with none safety in opposition to fires. We’d like a minimum of three extra hearth vans to make sure larger security.”
Oscar welcomed the donation however pleaded with the authorities for greater than a fireplace truck and an ambulance. “We hope that well-trained professionals and extra gear will arrive quickly to offer constant, efficient companies.”
The absence of fireplace companies has had lasting penalties.
In 2009, Pierline Charles misplaced her house within the Démélus neighborhood when a fireplace unfold unchecked. With out firefighters to reply, she mentioned, the flames consumed all the things. Unable to rebuild, the mom of 5 relocated to the countryside.
“If there had been a service within the metropolis, my calls might need been sufficient to assist me keep away from dropping my house,” Charles mentioned.
Cabinetmaker Jacklin Maréus recalled dropping his woodworking store in 2017, valued at greater than 3 million gourdes or over $23,000, after a fireplace destroyed the enterprise.
“Within the absence of firefighters, my relations and pals have been unable to place it out utilizing easy containers of water,” he mentioned. “With the arrival of the firefighters, I consider losses from main fires will likely be decreased.”
Constructing capability past gear
Metropolis officers agree with residents that gear alone isn’t sufficient. The municipality plans to recruit 25 younger residents for specialised coaching to function the service.
“After greater than 20 years, the previous hearth division staff are not accessible. We subsequently want new recruits who will obtain correct coaching,” mentioned Vacneur Cédieu, director of Port-de-Paix Metropolis Corridor.
Due to restricted native experience, officers say trainers could come from Cap-Haïtien, Port-au-Prince or overseas.
Nationally, CPSOTA has mixed gear donations with coaching initiatives. On Nov. 14, 2025, the group concluded a two-week emergency response training in Pétion-Ville for 200 younger individuals, together with firefighters and civil safety brokers. The classes targeted on fast intervention strategies, catastrophe administration, first help and hearth suppression. Through the closing ceremony, CPSOTA President and CEO Harold Turnier formally handed over hearth vans and ambulances to Haitian authorities.
Municipal leaders within the Port-au-Prince metropolitan space, together with Pétion-Ville and Tabarre, praised the partnership, calling it a part of a broader technique to modernize emergency response in a rustic extremely uncovered to hurricanes, floods and earthquakes.
A diaspora-driven instance
Residents in Port-de-Paix say CPSOTA’s contribution demonstrates how diaspora-led initiatives can deal with crucial gaps in public companies.
“This donation ought to serve for example of the patriotic spirit of the Haitian diaspora,” mentioned Raymond Fragellus, 65. “It exhibits attachment to main cities like Port-de-Paix which have lengthy been uncared for.”
Others urged Haitian-led diaspora organizations to put money into sustainable growth initiatives that strengthen native establishments quite than present short-term help.
For now, the fireplace truck stays parked, awaiting full operational rollout. However for residents who’ve watched houses and companies burn with no skilled response, its presence alone indicators hope.
“After years of vulnerability, Port-de-Paix could lastly be rebuilding a frontline protection in opposition to catastrophe — one truck at a time,” Fragellus concluded.