Sutton Coldfield MP and International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell has delivered a message of solidarity from a West Midlands fire chief to the head of the Osaka Fire Department in Japan.
Andrew Mitchell is in charge of the British Government’s disaster response policy and took the decision to send a UK Search and Rescue team to Japan, following the earthquake and tsunami in March.
The team included fire fighters from West Midlands Fire Services. Sean Moore – the West Mids team leader - wrote a letter to his counterparts in Japan to express the sympathy and admiration of the British team, who worked closely with them following the disaster.
Mr Mitchell personally handed the letter over to Mr Yoshinobu Fukasawa – Counsellor For Civil Protection and Head of Osaka Fire Department. They also discussed how the UK and Japan can share expertise in tackling future disasters.
Mr Mitchell said, “It is a great testament to the skill and professionalism of our international fire fighters that so much respect is shared between the UK and Japanese teams.
“The West Midlands team worked closely with the Japanese in the city of Ofunato, and I was pleased to be able to personally hand over the message of support.
“Mr Fukasawa told us that it will take ten years to rebuild the parts of the coast devastated by the tsunami. He also expressed his deep gratitude to all the British fire fighters who took part in the search and rescue operation.”