Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) — Albuquerque District 6 City Councilor Nichole Rogers, Albuquerque Fire Rescue Chief Emily Jaramillo, and Mr. Ralph Mims of R. Mims World Group proudly announce the arrival of AFR’s donated surplus fire equipment to the Nation of Antigua and Barbuda. The equipment was needed by firefighters and police departments of the twin island city located in the Eastern Caribbean.
“On behalf of the Hon. Steadroy C.O. Benjamin, Antigua and Barbuda’s Attorney General, Minister of Justice, Legal Affairs, National Security and Labor for the generosity of New Mexico and the Albuquerque Fire Department,” said Ralph Mims, President of R. Mims World Group. “This donation will help the nation of Antigua and Barbuda meet their critical safety needs. Our communities in the Caribbean are forever thankful.”
On behalf of the City of Albuquerque, Albuquerque Fire Rescue donated 11-Pairs of wildland boots, one Typhoon PPV fan, 50 sets of Out of Service (OOS) bunker gear, 20 pairs of OOS bunker boots, nine sections of OOS 1 ¾ hose, two meta booster hose reels, and four 18 volt De Valt Sawzall’s with 2 batteries each and chargers. The equipment was delivered to Antigua and Barbuda police and fire officials on Jan. 29, 2024, at the V.C. Bird International Airport in Antigua. Fire Chief Jaramillo stated, “AFR is happy to know that equipment we no longer need will be used by our fellow first responders in Antigua and Barbuda.”
Largely through Mims’ local efforts, with help from the U.S. Embassy in Barbados and the USA AID Program, the equipment was loaded and transported courtesy of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Denton program. Page 2
“The Denton program allows organizations to use space available on U.S. military cargo planes to transport humanitarian goods to countries in need,” explained Albuquerque City Councilor Nichole Rogers. “When Ralph presented us with Antigua’s and Barbuda’s needs, it became doable to donate AFR equipment. The City of Albuquerque is honored to help our sister cities become stronger.”
The R. Mims World Group has plans to continue the economic development connections between New Mexico and the Nation of Antigua & Barbuda.
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