Belleville firefighters are once more making a significant donation through Firefighters Without Borders, but this time it’s closer to home.
In the past, Belleville firefighters have donated fire equipment to countries like the Dominican Republic.
They have trained firefighters in other countries.
Now the local firefighters have donated a fire truck to Saugeen Nation in Northern Ontario.
The firefighters displayed the truck, a 1996 Freightliner tanker/pumper, and outlined the plan on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, Fire Chief Monique Belair tells Quinte News the truck was being retired and she’s impressed by what the local firefighters decided to do.
“I am overwhelmed at the generosity of all of our firefighters that took their time to go through and look at all the resources that we had and that we would be able to make a list of to make this donation to First Nations and for the support of council who ultimately approved this large donation.”
Fire truck being donated by Belleville Firefighters to Saugeen First Nation (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
Captain Phil Cyr says, “Belleville Firefighters have a long history of Firefighters Without Borders. I myself am a member of Fire Emergency Services and I volunteer my time with Firefighters Without Borders Canada. We’ve sent our members down to the Dominican Republic on training missions and we’ve also donated previous equipment.”
Cyr added that they’re excited to be helping firefighters “at home.”
“We have a Belleville Fire pumper that’s down in the Dominican as well. But this is the first project where Firefighters Without Borders Canada is donating the truck here at home.”
Carl Eggiman, Ontario Representative of Firefighters Without Borders Canada, says the local firefighters have a history of helping.
“We’re loading our 16th container for Lebanon. In Ontario we’ve done Fort William First Nations, Matachawan First Nations, Saugeen First Nations. In Manitoba Ebb and Flow First Nations, and Saskatchewan there’s 20 reserves that we’ve supported. ”
Firefighters Without Borders equipment for donation is being stored in the former Via Railway station on Station Street. (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
