Real Heroes, Real Stories: Recent Chronicles
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As with most Non Profit organizations we can do little without the support of our donors, they (YOU) give us the power to prompt change and effect lives. Our involvement with the New Norway fire department was rewarding in so many ways. Not only were we able to provide equipment to a deserving department but this particular project represented not only donors but New Norway’s fellow fire departments selflessly coming together to do so much more!
Our original intention was to give away 2x $3000.00 sets of bunker gear to a department unable to purchase the gear themselves. In our search for a deserving department we were inundated with selfless nominations from fellow fire departments suggesting the bunker gear would be best served with the New Norway FD as they had almost nothing.
YOU our selfless donors gave us the ability to purchase not the originally planned two but twelve brand new sets of bunker gear!!
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Does your volunteer fire department have a thermal imaging camera?
Imagine approaching the scene of a motor vehicle collision at night, on a rural highway, with no street lights. In the dark, it’s difficult to tell how many people might be involved. They may be inside the vehicles or outside on the ground. With the help of a thermal imaging camera, firefighters are able to tell, based on the measurement of heat, where people were sitting in each vehicle and how many victims need their help.
In a house fire, this equipment is needed to quickly locate people who might be inside the building. Often, when children become scared their response is to hide, making it difficult for firefighters to find them. A thermal imaging camera will show heat signatures at different temperatures allowing firefighters to distinguish between hot spots and people, making rescues faster and safer.
The Bow Island Fire Department, serving a population of approximately 2000 people, was awarded a $10,000 thermal imaging camera through Firefighters1st. Many volunteer fire departments do not have the funds to purchase this type of equipment even though its value is priceless when it comes to saving a life.
Your donations have allowed more fire departments to save lives more efficiently with equipment like this.
Read The Story
Imagine your house on fire. You look around, and all your neighbors’ houses are on fire too. You quickly learn that your entire town is burning down in front of your eyes.
This was the harsh reality that faced the town of Slave Lake in May, 2011. The devastating wildfire forced thousands to evacuate their homes and pray that all their belongings, their entire lives, didn’t become consumed by the wildfire. The volunteer firefighters of the Slave Lake area dropped everything to ensure the safety of their community. Not only did they volunteer day and night to battle the blaze, they volunteered everything they had – their homes included – to save their town.
Seven volunteer firefighters lost everything to the wildfire, yet not one of them questioned their actions. They sacrificed everything for their community. They are true heroes.
Our valued donors pulled together and helped Firefighters1st raise $20,000 in support of the volunteer firefighters of Slave Lake. To all who helped the volunteer firefighters of Slave Lake, we thank you for your generosity and compassion. Your donation made a significant impact on the volunteer firefighters who lost everything and is helping them begin to rebuild.
We would also like to recognize the Motorola Solutions Foundation who kindly agreed to match the first $5000 donated. Thank you Motorola Solutions Foundations for being a hero to our heroes – the volunteer firefighters of Slave Lake.
The impact that Firefighters1st was able to make was because of YOU. Your donations and shirt purchases in support of the Slave Lake volunteer firefighters made a difference.
Thank you!
Find Out How
- Is your volunteer fire department in need of assistance? Are your firefighters in need of updated equipment, training, and more volunteers? You are not alone.
- Contact us and see how Firefighters1st can help.
