Last month the Westbrook Volunteer Fire Department donated expired gear that still had some life left to Ukraine to assist with depleted fire departments in that war-torn country.
Westbrook Volunteer Fire Department Chief William Cusson explained that per regulations, fire gear must be replaced every so often, even if the gear is in order. Due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russia, Ukrainian fire stations are in dire needs of gear to combat fires from bombings and military activity, for which Cusson said the left-over gear is perfect. The donation was made on May 25.
“We gave them some good stuff. I think they’ll be happy,” Cusson said.
The donated gear included 28 self-contained breathing apparatus (“These are the air tanks we go in with when we’re fighting fire,” explained Cusson), as well as boots, helmets, and other fire gear.