One Person's Opinion on How to Handle the Situation in Haiti

Following is a letter that we received via email. It is one person's opinion on how Prime Minister Harper should have taken steps to handle the disaster in Haiti. What are some of yours?

Minutes ago there was a 7.0 earthquake in Haiti. We can not make contact with any Haitian officials as their infrastructure appears to be inoperable. We know the devastation a 7.0 earthquake can have on a population. Hundreds or thousands will be trapped under rubble, and many will need immediate medical attention in order to survive. Sadly many will already be dead. We must render immediate assistance as any delay will cost lives.

All Nurses, Doctors, Paramedics, First Aiders that are willing to volunteer and travel to Haiti are to meet at Toronto International Airport. The Canadian Government will bear all costs of transportation, keep all your receipts and you will be reimbursed.

Jets have already been sent to scatter drop medical supplies, rations and rescue kits over the affected area. Simple illustrated instructions will show how to dress wounds, use tourniquets, operate the hydraulic jacks etc. These emergency supplies will be hitting the ground within next few hours.

There could be thousands trapped under rubble. We need several thousand strong Canadian volunteers to help rescue trapped survivors. These rescuers will be required to parachute into the affected areas, and there will be much heavy lifting. You will receive training and instructions on route to Haiti. Parachuting is the only way to get to trapped survivors in time to make a difference. All people and packages will be dropped in with a Canadian Flag parachute. There is risk involved in parachuting, especially for the inexperienced. Please listen and follow all instructions from your trainer, lives are on the line.

All rescuers are asked to meet at Toronto International Airport. The first flight will be leaving in thirty minutes, and as needed after that. Keep all your travel receipts as you will be reimbursed.

Employers of volunteers are asked to keep paying them as if they were still working, this will reduce the burden on the volunteer's family. The Canadian Government will reimburse all employers for these salaries if requested. All those on employment insurance will continue to get benefits.

All Armed Forces personnel are to immediately report to duty, that haven't done so already, as they will be coordinating the effort.

A plane with bulldozers and other construction equipment is already on route to Haiti. This equipment will be airdropped into Haiti, with priority to clear or establish a runway for aid shipments and other equipment to arrive..

In the next couple hours our jets will be begin scatter dropping rescue kits and medical supplies across Haiti.

A few hours after that our volunteers will be parachuting in with more hydraulic jacks, picks, shovels, medical supplies, rations and Jaws-of-life. They will immediately inform the Haitians that we are Canadian and we are here to help and to assist them in the rescue efforts. They will then check in via satellite phone, so we know they have arrived safely.

Volunteer health care workers have the option of parachuting in, or arriving when a runway is established.

Once the runway is clear, we will begin evacuating all those that are Canadian or in need, partly to avoid congestion at the airport.

DART has already been deployed with a full compliment of aid and personnel.

We have the ability to help and it is our obligation as Canadians to do so. The first hours of a disaster are the most critical, as that is when the most lives can be saved. We can not wait for them to ask for help for help, as we don't know if they can.

I will be addressing the nation tomorrow morning with an update on the rescue mission.
Good night.

Well, that is what he could have done....maybe next time he will be ready :-(
When there is a disaster, our Nation should jump into action like caffeinated Fire Fighters, and we could restore our standing as a Nation on the world stage.

Just imagine the relief a Haitian would have seeing a Canadian flag parachute float down with a rescue kit including a hydraulic jack, so he can rescue his children from beneath the rubble. Then hours later the sky would be dotted with Canadian flag parachutes as thousands of rescue personnel float down with more tools and helping hands...Maybe then, I too would glow with Canadian pride...just for a couple minutes.