Overview:
After greater than 20 years with out hearth safety providers, Port-de-Paix has obtained a hearth truck and an ambulance by way of a donation from the Canadian Peace and Safety Officers Coaching Affiliation (CPSOTA). The emergency automobiles are a part of a $3 million bundle from the diaspora-linked nonprofit group to assist rehabilitate and strengthen emergency providers nationwide.
PORT-DE-PAIX— After greater than 20 years with out 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 current months to strengthen the nation’s emergency response capability.
For a lot of Haitians, entry to primary hearth and rescue providers 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 site 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 with out a formal hearth division, in accordance with native officers and residents.
Mayor Josué Alusma advised 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 below 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, nevertheless, 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 not less than one hearth division,” mentioned Jocelin Oscar, 35. “We reside right here with none safety in opposition to fires. We’d like not less than three further hearth vans to make sure larger security.”
Oscar welcomed the donation however pleaded with the authorities for greater than a hearth truck and an ambulance. “We hope that well-trained professionals and extra gear will arrive quickly to offer constant, efficient providers.”
The absence of fireplace providers has had lasting penalties.
In 2009, Pierline Charles misplaced her dwelling within the Démélus neighborhood when a hearth unfold unchecked. With out firefighters to reply, she mentioned, the flames consumed all the pieces. 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 shedding my dwelling,” Charles mentioned.
Cabinetmaker Jacklin Maréus recalled shedding his woodworking store in 2017, valued at greater than 3 million gourdes or over $23,000, after a hearth destroyed the enterprise.
“Within the absence of firefighters, my family members and associates 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 shall be diminished.”
Constructing capability past gear
Metropolis officers agree with residents that gear alone shouldn’t be 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 obtainable. 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 contributors, together with firefighters and civil safety brokers. The classes centered on fast intervention strategies, catastrophe administration, first support 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 important gaps in public providers.
“This donation ought to serve for example of the patriotic spirit of the Haitian diaspora,” mentioned Raymond Fragellus, 65. “It reveals attachment to main cities like Port-de-Paix which have lengthy been uncared for.”
Others urged Haitian-led diaspora organizations to spend money on sustainable growth tasks that strengthen native establishments moderately than present short-term support.
For now, the fireplace truck stays parked, awaiting full operational rollout. However for residents who’ve watched properties 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.