A COUNTRY devastated by an earthquake just three months ago leaving it in desperate need for fire and rescue equipment has received a boost from Gloucestershire fire service.
Firefighting operations in Chile are voluntary and rely on donations and government grants.
Now Gloucestershire Fire Service are sending out two 22-year-old Leyland Daf engines to isolated communities in Pitrufquen and Dalcahue.
On February 27, Chile was hit by an earthquake of 8.8 magnitude which killed nearly 250 people.
Gloucestershire county councillor Jeremy Hilton whose wife Polly is Chilean, suggested the redundant engines be sent to the South American country. Polly's eldest daughter lives in Concepcion while both her youngest daughter and mother live in Temuco.
Cllr Hilton said the engines are no longer needed in the county but would make a huge impact in Chile, especially in rural areas and fishing villages that tend to have the least equipment.
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