By Kelsey Bray
The Wyoming Tribune-Eagle
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — July 20 is a day volunteers from Laramie County Fire District 4 are anxiously awaiting.
That day, firefighters from Iowa will be in Carpenter to give the firefighters something they sorely need — equipment.
“It will help us for many, many years to come,” District 4 Fire Chief Philip Oakes said.
The donation includes 40 to 60 sets of firefighter turnout gear — specifically, coats and pants. They are also getting eight breathing masks that firefighters can wear to protect them from smoke and chemicals, said District 4 firefighter Scott Maddison.
The donation also includes a set of rescue airbags, which help firefighters stabilize and lift vehicles.
Oakes said if the fire department had to buy the equipment new, it would cost anywhere from $12,500 to $20,000.
"(The donation) is huge, and it is very much appreciated,” he said. “It’s one of the biggest we’ve ever gotten.”
Oakes said the district has gotten grants for bigger equipment, like trucks, and sixth-penny sales tax money is helping them get a new station. But they’ve had trouble getting the equipment that’s being donated.
“We’ve been denied five different times getting new turnout gear from grants,” he said. “They say it’s because of our low population and call volume.”
This left the firefighters in ill-fitting or old gear.
“Pretty much it was piece-mealed together,” Maddison said. “Some firefighters had new gear, some had gear that was five, 10, 20 years old. (National Fire Protection Association) standards say anything over 10 years old is out of date.”
Oakes told other firefighters about this problem, including Iowa Fire Marshal Ray Reynolds, at a conference.
Reynolds said fire departments in Iowa needed gear after a tornado damaged several stations, so an email request was sent out. About 100 sets of gear were donated.
So when he heard about the difficulty District 4 was having, he decided to send out an email.
“What happened is a couple fire departments got some grants for new gear, but their existing gear was in really good condition,” Reynolds said.
He also came across some airbags and breathing masks people were willing to donate.
Along with gathering all the gear, Iowa firefighters washed, sized and sorted the gear and will be driving it to Carpenter.
“They’re coming down just to give this stuff to us,” Oakes said. “They’re spending their own money, using their own gas. It’s on their own time and their own dime.”
Reynolds said he isn’t excited about the long drive to Wyoming, but he is excited about the cause. He and a group of firefighters are making the trip.
“We’re just passionate firefighters,” he said. “We want to meet some new friends. That’s really what we’re after.”
And when they arrive, they’ll be welcomed with a barbecue at the Carpenter fire hall, Oakes said.
After the donated turnout gear is given to the 25 volunteer firefighters at District 4, they will be paying it forward.
“After we’ve got enough, we’re going to share it with neighboring departments,” Oakes said.
District 4 firefighters like Maddison are looking forward to meeting the donors and trying out the new equipment.
“It will help us tremendously,” he said. “We will be able to better serve the people of our jurisdiction and the neighboring jurisdiction. We’re very grateful.”
If you go:
What: Iowa firefighters will drive to Carpenter to drop off a donation of turnout gear, breathing masks and rescue airbags to Laramie County Fire District 4. In honor of their visit and to thank them, District 4 volunteers will have a barbecue. For more information, call Chief Philip Oakes at 649-2400.
When: 3-6 p.m. Saturday, July 20
Where: Carpenter fire hall, 4832 Main Ave., Carpenter
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(c)2013 Wyoming Tribune-Eagle (Cheyenne, Wyo.)
Distributed by MCT Information Services