Rochdale firefighter to assist in rescue after Haiti earthquake

Pete Stevenson (centre) is flying to Haiti to assist in the earthquake rescue operation.

The Operations Commander at Rochdale Fire Station is heading to Haiti to assist in rescue efforts following yesterday's earthquake.

Peter Stevenson, 48, is joining seven of his colleagues in the Greater Manchester Fire Rescue Service and preparing to fly out and assist colleagues from other Fire and Rescue Services around the country with the rescue efforts.

Mr Stevenson, who leads the GMFRS team and has been designated as Operations Commander for the UK contingent, said: “I have no doubt this will be an extremely challenging situation but we will do our utmost to use our equipment and training to help the people of Haiti.

"Some of the team members have previous experience of dealing with the aftermath of earthquakes in India, Turkey, Algeria and Pakistan and will utilise everything they have learned previously.”