PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles Fire Department has donated a van full of used equipment to a nonprofit that supports firefighters in Mexico and elsewhere.
Rather than declare as surplus the 15-year-old self-contained breathing apparatus air packs, the department repurposed the gear and donated it to Firefighters Crossing Borders.
“It’s huge,” said Jordan Pollack, Port Townsend-based regional representative for Firefighters Crossing Borders.
Pollack thanked Port Angeles Assistant Fire Chief Keith Bogues and others who helped load the air packs into a van.
“We were just happy that somebody could use them,” Bogues said.
The breathing equipment, hoses and other gear will be stored in a cache in Port Townsend or Gig Harbor until the paperwork has been completed for the shipment to Mexico, Pollack said.
“When we send stuff down, we actually see the guys and gals wearing it, which is pretty amazing,” Pollack said.
“So thanks. Those are great air packs.”
Bogues said the 15-year-old equipment, while still functional, was replaced because of technological advances and new safety standards.
He added that Mexico is about 50 years behind the United States for firefighting equipment safety regulations.
“Even though it’s 15 years older for us, it still moves them forward 35 years,” Bogues said.
East Jefferson Fire-Rescue also has donated used gear to Firefighters Crossing Borders, Pollack said.
“A lot of departments just don’t know,” Pollack said of the program.
“The stuff just stays in their attics.”
Firefighters Crossing Borders works to bring advanced training, equipment and vehicles to departments in need of assistance in Mexico, according to its website, www.firefighterscrossingborders.org.
The Gig Harbor-based nonprofit also provides assistance to domestic fire departments, including small Eastern Washington outfits and tribal agencies.
“Most of [the gear] goes down to Mexico,” Pollack said.
“We help where we can help.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
