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$8,000 for fire department Grant will help replace self-contained breathing apparatusesRoxanna Thompson Northern News Services Published Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012
On July 27, Mark Gerlock, Enbridge's area supervisor, presented Fire Chief Roger Pilling with a cheque for $8,000. Gerlock made the presentation on behalf of Ann-Marie Tout, Enbridge's northern region manager. The money is from Enbridge's Safe Community Canada Program. Through the program, the company provides grants to local first responders in areas where Enbridge operates to help with training, equipment, public awareness and volunteer recognition. This is the fourth year the Fort Simpson Volunteer Fire Department has received money from the program. In the three previous years, the department has received $40,000 from the program to purchase a defragmentation station – used to fill self-contained breathing apparatus bottles safely – 10 sets of bunker gear and a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). The 2010 grant of $13,000 for the bunker gear was a surprise because $10,000 was the limit that could be requested, said Pilling. This year's grant will be used to purchase a second SCBA and a spare tank. Each unit costs approximately $7,200. "When you are firefighting almost everyone needs an SCBA," said Pilling. The department's current tanks are nearing the end of their certifiable lifespan. The department needs at least 10 in order to outfit firefighters. The SCBA purchased with the help of the latest grant will bring the department's supply of the apparatuses to nine. Five were purchased by the department last year and two this year using funding from the Village of Fort Simpson. Pilling said the grant from Enbridge affects more than just the department. "It's the whole community that benefits from this. We have to have these to do our job," he said. Because of the grant, both the department and the village will be able to use money for other items, said Pilling. The tanks provide compressed air for firefighters. They are important during the initial attack of a fire, during the clean-up of hot spots and while protecting nearby buildings from fires because winds can create hazardous environments, Pilling said. Each tank the firefighters carry on their backs provides approximately 20 minutes of air. The new SCBAs have a number of benefits, said Pilling. They are lighter and also have a heads up display in the mask so firefighters can see the level in their air tank. The newer SCBAs also have a speaker built into the mask which allows for improved radio communications. Each device also has motion alarms so if the person wearing it doesn't move around after a set amount of time an alarm is triggered. The alarm can also be activated by a firefighter who needs assistance. "They are definitely a step up," said Pilling. Pilling said Enbridge has always been a supporter of the fire department. Gerlock had his own words of praise for the fire department as he presented the cheque. "We are very fortunate," said Gerlock, referring to the work the department does.
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