Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service donates used equipment to Firefighters without Borders

Donations help firefighters in developing countries to stay safe

September 28, 2022

Donations being packed at the end of September 2022.
Donations being packed at the end of September 2022.

Instead of ending up in the landfill, decommissioned firefighting helmets, self-contained breathing apparatus, and other equipment are headed to developing countries to help protect first responders who otherwise might not have access to the personal protective gear.

The shipment, which was packed by the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) at the end of September, was the latest donation from the department to Firefighters Without Borders Canada. The non-profit organization will then distribute it to firefighters across the world who may not have access to safe gear, or the means to obtain the equipment.

“While the gear has reached its end-of-life according to North American standards, it’s still in great condition and suitable for use,” said Shelley Brown, who retired from the WFPS last year but has remained onboard as the volunteer coordinator of the program in Winnipeg.

The department follows the National Fire Protection Association’s standards which stipulate firefighting personal protective gear be decommissioned after 10 years of use, even if it is still in good, usable condition.

The WFPS donations are now headed to Vancouver, where it will be prepared by volunteers before being shipped overseas. It’s a journey local moving company Two Small Men with Big Hearts Moving has been involved in for the past two years.

"Safety is something our team is passionate about, and we know that access to safe equipment is essential," said Addison Parfeniuk, CEO of Two Small Men with Big Hearts Moving, who donates the transport to get the gear to the west coast. “We love what Firefighters Without Borders does — we're happy to help get protective gear to people who are providing crucial emergency services in their communities overseas.”

FWB Canada has completed 165 shipments benefitting firefighters and responders in 20 different countries, including the Philippines, Ukraine, Haiti, and Chile.

“The gratitude shown by the firefighters who receive this gear is immense,” said Bob Dubbert, Firefighters Without Borders Canada President. “The gear provided really does mean the difference between life or death for them. Firefighters without Borders Canada could not do what it does without partners like the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service and Two Small Men with Big Hearts Moving.”

In addition to personal protective gear, the non-profit ships donated rescue equipment, fire hoses, medical supplies, and apparatus such as fire engines, ladder trucks, and ambulances. The replacement value of all the donated gear and equipment received by Firefighters Without Borders over the past five years is more than $20 million.


Celebrating City Employees Emergency and Safety Parks, Trees and the Environment Water and Waste

Was this information helpful?

How can we make this web page better?

Information collected will be used to improve our website. Do not use this form to submit a request for service or information because it will not be forwarded to departments for response. To submit a request for service or information, contact 311.

This form is not intended to collect personal information; however, any personal information you choose to include in your comments is collected by the City of Winnipeg under the authority of section 36(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the purpose of improving our website and will not be used or disclosed for any other purposes, except as authorized by law. Contact the Corporate Access and Privacy Officer by mail (City Clerk’s Department, Susan A. Thompson Building, 510 Main Street, Winnipeg MB, R3B 1B9) or by telephone (311) if you have any questions about the collection of this information.

Ces renseignements sont-ils utiles?

Comment pourrait-on améliorer cette page Web?

Les renseignements recueillis serviront à l’amélioration de notre site Web. Prière de ne pas se servir de ce formulaire pour soumettre une demande de service ou de renseignements, car la demande ne sera pas transmise au service en question. Pour soumettre une demande de service ou de renseignements, veuillez communiquer avec le 311.

Le présent formulaire ne vise pas à recueillir des renseignements personnels. Cependant, les renseignements personnels que vous choisissez d’inclure dans vos commentaires sont recueillis par la Ville de Winnipeg en conformité avec l’alinéa 36(1)b) de la Loi sur l’accès à l’information et la protection de la vie privée dans le but d’améliorer son site Web et ne seront ni utilisés ni divulgués pour d’autres raisons, sauf dans les cas où cela est autorisé par la loi. Communiquez avec l’agent de l’accès à l’information et de la protection de la vie privée de la Ville par courrier au Bureau du greffier, immeuble Susan-A.-Thompson, 510, rue Main, Winnipeg (Manitoba) R3B 1B9, ou par téléphone au 311 si vous avez des questions sur la collecte de ces renseignements.