The Newsmagazine of Long Beach Island and Southern Ocean County

By Eric Englund | on March 30, 2022

PUT TO GOOD USE: Protective gear no longer in use by the Beach Haven Volunteer Fire Co. will be worn by firefighters in war-torn Ukraine. (File Photo by Jack Reynolds)

Protective gear no longer used by the Beach Haven Volunteer Fire Co. is off to help firefighters in beleaguered, war-torn Ukraine.

Fire Chief Adam Ellender said the donation of expired gear consisted of 11 sets of bunker pants, 12 helmets, nine pairs of structural gloves, five Nomex hoods and 11 pairs of structural boots. The shipment also included two boxes of nitrile gloves and three C-Collars.

“At our March 3 monthly meeting, the members decided to aid with our contribution in a unanimous vote,” said Ellender. “We just wanted to show how we are there to aid our community in their time of need, and we are also there to aid our brothers and sisters when they need it. We had fire departments coming to our aid during Hurricane Sandy, so now it is time to pay it forward.”

The chief said that according to National Fire Protection Association regulations, any gear over 10 years old is no longer serviceable and must be retired.

“Some of the PPEs (personal protective equipment) we sent was as old as 2003,” said Ellender. “We keep our old gear for training purposes and to outfit a new member until their new fitted compliant gear comes in from one of our vendors. Other pieces were from members that retired or resigned. Sometimes we’ve had to throw out the gear, but we’re glad that it will be made to get use in Ukraine.”

He said the campaign to help Ukraine firefighters began in February.

“I had heard through the grapevine that the Clifton Fire Department and Clifton FMBA Local 21 were going to be running a campaign, to get old sets of gear donated to send over to the Ukraine,” said Ellender.

He said the company does fundraising throughout the year with events such as the turkey dinner and block party to get donations for buying protective equipment, training and building maintenance costs. Current costs are $1,400 for new bunker pants, $2,220 for new bunker jackets, $500 for new helmets, $500 for new structural gloves, $50 for a new Nomex hood and $500 for new boots.

“The borough of Beach Haven also helps us with buying PPEs,” he said.  —E.E.

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