Firefighters in Ukraine will benefit from a major donation of equipment thanks to a partnership between the Foothills Fire Department and a fire equipment maintenance company.
During an announcement Thursday, March 24, officials gave details about the donation and said the gear will be on its way to eastern Europe soon and is expected to arrive in Ukraine by mid-April.
“Over the last 10 years, the Foothills Fire Department, between our six stations, we’ve accumulated a lot of expired and obsolete gear,” said deputy fire chief Scott Young.
The equipment cannot be used due to Canadian safety standards, but other countries who do not have similar standards can use the equipment.
The fire department reached out to Scott Fesik and his company, Fire Industry Repair and Maintenance Inc., who will accept, clean and redistribute the gear though an organization in Edmonton that sends it on to countries that do not have the budget for firefighting PPE and equipment.
The equipment in this shipment will be sent to Ukraine, said Jonathan Fesik of Fire Industry Repair and Maintenance Inc.
“Many of the Ukrainian small villages and fire departments were using coveralls and garden gloves. So, believe it or not, this would be a great relief to them,” he said.
Firefighters have been collecting equipment for Ukraine for a couple of years, and with the war entering its fourth week, demand for this type of front-line firefighting equipment will only increase, Fesik said.
The donated items include about 100 self-contained breathing apparatus, 60 sets of turn-out gear which is the pants, jackets, gloves and helmets that are used in structural firefighting, along with hose, ventilation fans and other equipment.
Foothills County councillors Suzanne Oel and Don Waldorf were at the presentation and applauded the initiative.
Waldorf said it’s great to see this equipment being used, especially during these times in Ukraine.
Coun. Oel called it a great example of creative teamwork between the county and private sector.
