U.S. Helps Upgrade Northern Moldova Fire Station

January 25, 2013

In this photo, U.S. Ambassador William H. Moser is handing the symbolic key to the new fire station to Edinet Fire Chief Vitalie Vicol

The residents of Edinet and its surrounding villages are a bit safer today, thanks to the recent U.S.-funded renovation of the regional fire station. The Edinet Regional Fire and Rescue Station was refurbished with a $430,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Defense's European Command.

"For a region with a population of approximately 97,000 residents and 10 industrial enterprises, a robust fire and rescue capability is vitally important," said Ambassador William H. Moser, who spoke at a dedication ceremony on Friday. "Now your fire and rescue personnel will be better able to respond to the consequences of natural and manmade disasters that may occur in the region."

Brigadier General Blaine Holt of the European Command said the project demonstrates the great relationship between the United States of America and the Republic of Moldova.

The grant was used to renovate the administrative section of the regional Department of Emergency Situations; build a new facility for the offices, dressing rooms, toilets/showers, and preparation rooms for firefighters, rebuild the garage/technical bay area for fire equipment; and the building of a new training tower.

Ambassador Moser thanked the European Command, the Office of Defense Cooperation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Moldovan construction company for their efforts in conceiving and completing the project.

Friday's dedication was hosted by Vitalie Vicol, chief of the Edinet Regional Department of Emergency Situations.  It was also attended by Interior Minister Dorin Recean.