By Liam Verster

Highway to Mexico

County donates fire fighting equipment to Highway to Mexico Project

Jan 8, 2020 | 5:00 AM

The Highway to Mexico Project is receiving it’s first donation of 2020.

The County of Grande Prairie has agreed to donate 25 self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA), 30 pairs of boots, five helmets, five sets of turnout gear (which includes pants and jackets), and two hand held radios to the cause, which is run by the local Rotary Clubs.

Coordinator of the Highway to Mexico Project, Felix Seiler, says the equipment that’s being donated is past it’s lifespan by Canadian standards, especially the SCBAs.

“So, let’s say you can use [the SCBAs] between six and ten years, and then replace it. The same goes for turnout gear. For example if a pair of pants has a rip in it, we will fix it, then of course they can still use it in Mexico. But unfortunately, here in Canada, from an insurance point of view, they can’t use that anymore.”

The County of Grande Prairie has already acquired replacements for the gear that’s being donated.

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Though these items are the first donated in the new year, they’re not the only things making the trip down to Mexico. The Rotary Clubs have been collecting decomissioned emergency vehicles and other first-responder gear since April.

“We had received some gear from High Level, we had received gear from the city (of Grande Prairie), and we always, through our friend Murray Heinrich, who used to be the chief of Yellow Head County, we also have some gear that came from outlining departments down there. Almost every year we get some gear from the oil field companies as well, because they have to adhere to the same rules for age of equipment.”

The Highway to Mexico Project has also already collected some vehicles, including an ambulance that was donated by Alberta Health, a couple busses they bought from Peace Wapiti, a big aerial truck and a fire truck that were purchased at auction.

Seiler says he’s incredibly grateful for all the donations, and hopes to have the trucks packed full of gear and equipment when they make their 19th annual Highway to Mexico road trip. The equipment will be driven down to Mazatlan, Mexico, in late March, where it will be distributed to fire departments and first responders around the region.