The 25 Guyanese firefighters, who left on September 7 to lend a helping hand to their colleagues in Saint Martin and Guadeloupe, after the passage of cyclones Irma and Maria, returned on Saturday. Tired, but satisfied with the work accomplished, they say they came out of this mission grown up.
They returned by flight from the Antilles on Saturday noon. Originally, these 25 men and women are only supposed to stay a fortnight in Saint Martin, but Hurricane Maria decided otherwise.
Leaving on September 7, they must give their support, for two weeks, to the confreres of Saint Martin, whose barracks were ravaged by cyclone Irma. But ten days after the passage of the biggest hurricane ever known in the Atlantic, a second class 5 hurricane threatens the Antilles. And these 25 firefighters extend their mission by a week.
Without water or electricity
Eight leave for Saintes, the others remain in Saint Martin, to continue the operations of clearing and distribution of food.
"We had to adapt a lot," explains Commander Chantal Grand Bois. “We changed sites several times. When we got to Saint Martin, we had a roof, but no water or electricity. Despite the difficult conditions, these experienced men and women - and trained in crisis situations - perform various tasks. “We were mainly employed in the distribution of food and water. But we also participated in the stabilization of the structure, and in the clearance of traffic lanes. Very busy days, physically demanding, but also psychologically.
"It's a noble profession that we do"
These fire soldiers arrived smiling at Félix Eboué airport. "I lived this experience with a lot of humility, but also a lot of pleasure", announces Hervé Simonard. “It is a noble profession that we do, to help others. When we arrive, we only see images of desolation. Our duty is to help, but also to bring a little smile, with our presence ”.
For him, Guyana is an extraordinary land, because spared from these climatic phenomena. "We are in our little paradise, where we do not have the notion of a hurricane".
For all, this mission will remain a very strong moment in their career. Gladys Dufail is a nurse with the fire department.
“We all agreed to leave, but there were very touching moments. I went to people, disaster victims. Among them was a quadriplegic girl. When I arrived, her mother hugged me to say thank you for being there. It was very touching… that will be the story that I will keep. ”
Under the uniform of firefighters, there are men and women, who will remain marked by the distress and violence of the elements. “We were faced with the most total distress,” concludes Chantal Grand Bois.
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