From Senator Frank Walker, Chief Minister
I’M sure all Islanders were all shocked by the sheer scale and extent of Monday’s fire on Mont Fallu, but the scale and extent of the response from the community and States services has been extraordinary.
The Fire Service yet again showed bravery, determination and organisation in dealing with what could have been a major disaster, and we all owe them our grateful thanks.
I would also like to thank everyone else involved for the exemplary work they have put into helping the victims of this tragedy.
The officials of St Peter and the Honorary Police and all other volunteers who so willingly rallied to the cause deserve our deepest thanks.
As do the Police, Tourism and Housing departments who have worked extensively to ensure that those affected by the fire have been provided with accommodation and are looked after in the first instance.
The response from the community generally has been astonishing, with approximately £2,000 already donated to help the victims, along with donations of clothes, food and furniture. This all reflects our community spirit at its best and we should all stop to appreciate and value this oh so precious aspect of living in Jersey.
Thankfully there were no serious injuries but many people have been seriously disadvantaged.
My deepest sympathies are with all those who have been affected by these events but particularly with those who have been evacuated from their homes.
I know that everyone involved in the response is working extremely hard to ensure that, as much is possible, people are able to return to normal lives.
A meeting took place yesterday to ensure that the short-, medium- and long-term welfare needs are addressed and a further meeting will take place tomorrow morning to ensure that everyone is kept up to date with all developments.
Cyril Le Marquand House,
Parade,
St Helier.
Article posted on 17th July, 2008 - 2.59pm
One Article Comment
What is astonishing is that Frank Walker finds ‘The response from the community generally has been astonishing’. All my life in Jersey, as a true Jersey person we had such community spirit, which in many parts still exists, and thus is not astonishing in any way, it is the norm for some of us.