Normally when we hear about a US Embassy donation to the Coast Guard, it would include tactical gear and operational equipment. Well, today instead of vessels and body armour, the Coast Guard got its first, very own ambulance. It may seem like an unusual gift to the coast guard but commander Elton Bennett says this donation is just as important as all the other equipment.
Elton Bennett, Belize Coast Guard Commander
"We do work in a very high risk environment and we do have situations that we deal with from time to time and we have had a few near death experiences for example in 2005, one of our colleagues were shot in the head after returning from patrol and he had to be rushed in the KHMH in Belize City. On another occasion we had one of our members of the Best Warriors Competition last year who collapsed during the competition and had to be once again rushed to Belize City. As recent as December of last year, one of our officers collapsed here at work and again the on duty medic had to rush that person in a coast guard vehicle to the KHMH in Belize City and there are many other medical emergencies that we have had to deal with in the recent past."
"But this is the nature of coast guard operations and this is how we operate and this is how we train. We can't get away from that."
"This ambulance plays an integral part of the medical support system that answers that question what if. Just to highlight some of the features if the ambulance we are receiving today. This is a special purpose, special design Toyota Land Cruiser Prado that has been customized for ambulance service. It comes with equip with two trauma kits and seating arrangements for combat medics. The treatment Bay is equipped with oxygen tanks and regulators, IV tracks and all the necessary emergency medical care required during patient transfer. This ambulance also will also play a crucial role in supporting our humanitarian missions in transferring search and rescue casualties from sea to the door of the hospital in Belize City."
Keith Gilges, U.S. Charge d Affaires
"I am honoured to have the opportunity to hand over this ambulance as a symbol of our friendship with the Belize Coast Guard. I look forward to further enhancing our close relationship with Belize's military as they continue their service on behalf of the government and people of Belize."
The cost of the donation is $128,000 Belize dollars. The coast guard also gets a two-year supply of parts and service equipment.
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