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The camaraderie of firefighters; Area fire departments donate used turnout gear to Mexico
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Firefighters worldwide share a number of traits, the most prominent being the desire to help their neighbors when disaster strikes. That trait knows no nationality nor borders. Often departments and agencies in the U.S. donate used equipment to other countries where the members have access to fewer resources. Sometimes the equipment can no longer be used in the U.S. due to new safety standards or it may be that the equipment is simply being replaced and the department wants it to contribute to others.
One such contribution occurred in Houston County in October. The DNR Forestry Office collected unused turnout gear from several departments.
The recipient was the State of Morelos, Mexico. Morelos is one of 31 states in Mexico. It has 33 municipalities and a population of approximately 1.6 million people (2007 census). Their firefighters respond to all structural fires, wildland fires and hazardous materials incidents. At one station they have 44 members. Before receiving this donation they had turnout gear for only four people. Receiving 24 sets of turnout coats and pants, 14 pairs of boots, and 11 helmets from area departments will significantly help protect their members.
A conservative estimate for similar new Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is $2,000 per person. So although it is not new, used PPE is better than none at all for the dangerous work of firefighting.
Fernando, Miguel and Andres arrived in the U.S. to receive equipment and ship it back to their country. Fernando and Miguel work for Comisión Estatal del Agua y Medio Ambiente (State Commission of Water and Environment or CEAMA) while Andres graciously donated his services. They were also traveling to the Minnesota Interagency Fire Cache (MIFC) in Grand Rapids, MN for additional resources.
They will return home to Morelos content that more of their fellow firefighters will be safer as a result of the connections they have made in Minnesota. There are plans to conduct similar donations in the future.
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Thank you
Tim