Rochdale fire fighter speaks about Haiti rescue operation

Peter Stevenson (centre) is in Haiti assisting in the earthquake rescue operation.

Peter Stevenson, the Operations Commander who has been thrown from Rochdale Fire Station into the depths of the crisis in Haiti, has said that the situation on the island following the earthquake earlier this week is ‘indescribable'.

Mr Stevenson, 48, flew to Haiti alongside seven of his colleagues from the Greater Manchester Fire Rescue Service, yesterday (Thursday 14 January) to assist colleagues from other Fire and Rescue Services around the country with the rescue efforts.

In an interview Mr Stevenson said the initial reaction to the devastating affect the earthquake has had on the country is what he and his team were ‘expecting’ - although the number of people dead and the number of causalities is more than the team initially thought they would see.

People on the streets of Haiti are lighting fires at night time to keep warm. Mr Stevenson said: “It is like 5 November with the fires all over the city, not building fires but ones that have been lit so residents can keep warm.”

The demand for help has been massive since the Greater Manchester Fire Rescue Service arrived in Haiti. Mr Stevenson said: “Everybody wants our help, the priority right now is to save lives and prioritise search and rescue.”

The scenes are said to be ‘horrific’ and Mr Stevenson explained that the Fire and Rescue Service have been ‘stepping over dead bodies’ in an attempt to carry out the rescue operation.

Food for the people of Haiti is in limited supply because the aid that is arriving into the country isn’t being delivered fast enough due to the extra demand at the Haiti airport.

Mr Stevenson described the actions of people in Haiti as a ‘fight for survival’. He added that the number of buildings that have been searched is a small proportion and he is ‘hopeful’ that over the next two or three days the search and rescue operation will result in a number of rescues.

As a fire-fighter Mr Stevenson and the teams in Haiti are well prepared for such disasters, the aim for them is to remain focus, Mr Stevenson, said: “We have to stay focused, the time for reflection will be when we are back at home.”