A Tri-Cities fire department is more than half way to its fundraising goal for new breathing packs.
To date, the Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department (SVFD) has collected $93,000 since it launched its campaign in November 2015 to replace 20 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) packs.
Now, it needs another $77,000 to get the gear up to date for its 42-member crew.
Neil Belenkie, a Belcarra resident and SVFD firefighter, said its largest supporters have been the Droulis family, which owns the Canadian Tire store in Coquitlam, and the Coquitlam Sunrise Rotary Club; each donated enough to purchase a full SCBA kit, at a cost of $8,500.
As well, two private contributions of $10,000 were handed over as well as a $25,000 provincial government grant, last April, thanks to the efforts of Port Moody-Coquitlam BC Liberal MLA Linda Reimer.
The current breathing packs — tanks, harnesses, regulators and masks — are nearly 25 years old, are heavy to carry around and are good for only 30 minutes.
The new units, on the other hand, would supply 45 minutes of oxygen, be lighter on firefighters' backs and provide better communication. They would also synch up with gear from Port Moody, the neighbouring jurisdiction that provides mutual aid.
In 2015, SVFD was called out to 112 incidents including for fire, medical and motor-vehicle emergencies.
• To make an online donation, go to svfd.ca or call 604-839-5315.
