^{The Ottawa Sun, Monday April 4,2005}

Local's tsunami effort ongoing

By DEREK PUDDICOMBE

Three months after a devastating tsunami killed at least 174,000 people in southeast Asia, an Ottawa man is continuing his effort to help victims overseas get their lives back on track.

John Green is heading back to Banda Aceh, one of the worst-hit areas on Indonesia's northern coastline for about two weeks.

He's taking with him tools to help rebuild homes and much-needed equipment for the Banda Aceh fire department, which was almost decimated by the catastrophe. He's also bringing hope.

^{Geoff Robins - Sun}

^{JOHN GREEN, of International Rescue, displays some of the firefighting equipment that his organization will be sending overseas to replace gear that was destroyed by the Dec. 26 tsunami.}

Pumper truck donated

Green, a trained firefighter and hazardous materials expert, said that during his first trip to the Indonesian coastline in January, his non-profit group, International Rescue, provided medicine and medical aid, erected shelters, gave immunizations, distributed donated materials, collected information, and provided technical rescue expertise to victims.

He also discovered that only three of the fire department's 1,100 firefighters survived.

Since returning to Ottawa he has managed to get his hands on a 1970 pumper truck donated by the Lanark Fire Dept., which is now ready to be sent over. But he needs to raise $10,000 to ship the truck.

Out of his own pocket, he spent $10,000 U.S. and bought a 1994 one-ton fire truck from a Texas fire department. Now sitting in an Ottawa warehouse because it's too expensive to ship, almost $6,000 more than the truck from Lanark, Green may be forced to only send the truck's pump after it's removed.

But there is literally tons of other equipment he is prepared to ship immediately.

"I've got electronic equipment, hammers, fire hoses, pumps, breathing apparatus, helmets, coats, boots and nozzles," he said. "Most of it is used equipment, but it's all usable."

Ready to train others

Green said he prefers to collect items victims can use rather than money that he says most won't see any benefit from. He has also been in constant contact with one of the surviving fire-fighters from Banda Aceh and says they are looking forward to his return.

"I will be helping to train fire-fighters and helping to set up a training program for them," Green told the Sun.

Anyone wanting to donate goods to International Rescue including Air Miles can call 822-6108.