How Winnipeg's firefighters are donating equipment to fire departments around the world
Winnipeg's firefighters are sending another truckload of their gently-used equipment overseas to help fire departments in need around the world.
It is part of a campaign to help Firefighters Without Borders (FWB) distribute firefighting equipment that can't be used anymore in Canada to developing countries worldwide.
The Winnipeg Paramedic Fire Service (WFPS) follows standards set out by the National Fire Protection Association, which stipulate that firefighting personal protective gear - such as helmets, jackets and other clothing - be decommissioned after 10 years of use, even if it is still in good usable condition.
"We follow protocols here and we have time limitations on how long the gear can be used, but other countries are not following those protocols, so we are able to make sure that everybody is covered, so brothers and sisters all over the world are taken care of," said volunteer coordinator and retired firefighter Shelley Brown.
"What this does is makes sure that not only firefighters globally are being protected and have the equipment to do their jobs," said Brown, "but it also is very good environmentally because it keeps the gear out of landfill, it has life after life."
The gear is being transported with the help of Two Small Men with Big Hearts Moving, which is donating a truck for a second straight year. The equipment is being taken from Winnipeg and other rural Manitoba fire departments to Vancouver, where it is received by FWB Canada. The equipment is then sent overseas as needed.
"We've done campaigns through Firefighters Without Borders to the Philippines, Chile, Dominican Republic, Brazil," said Brown. "We've gone just about everywhere. When there's a request or a need, we will fulfill it."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.