Hi. I see all these groups that gather eqpt. to send to So. America and other countries. What about the small departments in the U.S. that could use and need this eqpt. on a daily basis. If any one has any info on any groups that do this or how to start one.
Check out the "Terry Farrel" fund.....it is a group that donates equipment to Departments that need it....in memory of 9-11 victims...it is out of NY.....Paul
Not handy but I am sure if you "Google" or do a search it will come up...many Departments I know of have used it and worked out very well....everything from utility vehicles to ladders....Good luck....Paul
BRAVO Robert. Thank you alot. WE should be giving to our own country first. NOW befor e I get hate mail I have nothing against other countries in need. But lets face it right now we all are in need. Over half our members gear is over 12 years old and needs to be replaced badly. True we do not make as near as many runs as a big city paid dept. But dont we deserve the same PPE as they do? I am not making this a vol vs paid argument in any way. Please do not take it that way. I was always taught charity begins at home. Has anyo0ne else ever heard that saying?????
I agree with you Chad. I mean I know a person that has bunker gear that needs to be replaced and he has had it for at least 15 years. So I think if anything our country needs to get the help first before any other country.
Be careful who you give equipment to. My department donated a functional, operational engine and a lot of equipment to "Helping Our Own" several years ago. It was transported to Michiganwhere as far as we know it's still sitting, not used. What you donate could go to waste.
I have actually started a web site just for this purpose, here in Illinois the state fire marshall has a site that is for Illinois depts only, obviously as with many states in certaint parts of the state you are closer to other states also, for instance we are 50 miles from KY, MO and IN so it would be easy for use to trade with Departments but there is no way to tie it together. That I know of there are no sites like this that connect the states for this purpose. So I created fire tool trader
It is meant to try and bring together departments who NEED equipment together with those who hopefully have extra to give. Stuff does not go to a any sort of fund to get hung up in, it goes from dept. right to dept.
in the past we have gotten gear SCBA's and more from larger departments, to them it was just old stuff, to us it was very usable and use it we did!
Check out fire tool trader and let me know what you think, Spread the word also the more people and departments we get involved the more chance we have to help departments in need