Operation Fire Suppression Equipment!

UPDATE: As of April 27, 2023 we have raised $1,190 of the $2500 our Angel Donor was unable to contribute. Only $1,310 remains outstanding. Thank you to all who have contributed to support our small business and shared our story on social media.

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My name is Rosanna. I'm an environmental health researcher [bakersfield.com/opinion/other-voices-putting-health-at-the-forefront/article_3bfac746-43b] and community organizer https://storymaps.arcis.com.

My fiancée Russel is a fire suppression expert, and firefighter. Through the generosity of GoFundMe supporters we raised $3,000 to serve documents on the manufacturer and shipping company who dumped our equipment in Switzerland after experiencing engine trouble.

Donations totaling $3,000 were transferred to Swiss Customs on March 16, 2023. Our contract to deliver equipment was extended to May 2023. The final destination for equipment is Kern County, California USA. This is a direct result of the Covid-19 Pandemic and resulting Supply Chain Slow Down. A private donor was to contribute $2500 for legal costs and had an unfortunate accident. I am back to ask you for continued support donating directly or sharing the GoFundMe link and YouTube video.

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Our small fire suppression import business allows me to conduct independent health & air quality research in one of the most polluted areas for small particle pollution, California's San Joaquin Valley. We are asking for your help to raise the final $1,310 to pay the document fees to Swiss Customs to bring our equipment to California.

The world changed with the Covid-19 Pandemic. In the Fall of 2021, instead of delivering 1 ton of fire equipment to California, the shipping company dumped our fire equipment and kept our money. The company didn't want to be bothered with the new requirements instituted by the World Health Organization because of the Covid-19 Pandemic. We paid the shipping company to cover the cost of new requirements. Dumping goods is illegal. When caught, those responsible are fined and/or their businesses taken over by Customs, shuttered, and sold to recoup fees.

We and other small U.S. importers were caught in the middle of a supply chain shutdown. All of us have been affected and are struggling to get back on our feet. We learned our equipment was in a government warehouse when we received a bill for $93,000 from Swiss customs & enforcement. After nine months of testimony the Customs/Interpol Committee concluded that we were not responsible for dumping equipment, the manufacturer & shipping company are responsible for $93,000 fine. Nevertheless, we were ordered to pay the fine if the manufacturer and shipping company don't.

U.S. representatives and federal agencies like Small Business Administration and Commerce Department are unable to assist in our case. Covid dollars were granted to banks, airlines and small countries, not small businesses like ours in 2021. There are no Small Business Covid associated loans we can access.

As subcontractors to American distributors, we invest our own money in our business and support our Kern County environmental justice community in a variety of ways. When our equipment wasn't delivered in Feb. 2022, I was told the ship had engine trouble. A month later the excuse was, the crew had Covid-19. Finally, I was told, "Stop calling, we'll get back to you." I persisted. It's now almost May 2023 and our deadline to deliver is looming.

We are a niche importing business that saw a need for quality, custom designed equipment. This was not our first time importing equipment. It was however the first time the World has dealt with a pandemic like Covid-19. As independent contractors to U.S. distributors, we cover all costs until equipment is delivered, and are we paid. We've had no income since August 2021. All our operating capital was gobbled up by additional fines, fees and legal proceedings between 2021 and 2023.

Our equipment will be released & delivered once the manufacturer and shipping company pay their combined fee of $93,000 for storage to Swiss customs. To date they have paid a total of $21,500. We need to raise the remaining $2,500 to pay Swiss Customs to serve documents on both companies giving them 14-days to pay their fine or forfeit their businesses.

Fire is one of the most damaging and impacting events that can happen to anyone at anytime. When fire strikes, it destroys. Russel and I have committed ourselves to environmental work, increasing awareness of harmful impacts of pollution, air quality, water contamination, health impacts of oil & gas development, pesticides and the need for community fire & chemical safety https://www.facesoffracking .

American small businesses are the biggest source of local employment opportunities. Please help.

To contribute to Operation Fire Equipment https://gofund.me/da82c46e

To learn more, check our our YouTube video: https://youtu.be/jMDGeAxh0ew