P.E.I. Firefighters Association collecting gear for firefighters in Mexico

The P.E.I. Firefighters Association is collecting used fire fighting equipment and gear to help out firefighters in Querétaro, Mexico.

Kory MacAusland says he began collecting the much-needed equipment after he returned from a visit there in October.

The firefighter was there to run training exercises and he noticed much of the gear being used by the firefighters he was training was not up to standard.

"I left my pants behind, my bunker pants down there because one of the young fellas he had tears in his and you could see his denim jeans underneath and you know you don't want to send a guy into a fire with that, they're not safe to be inside a fire with," said MacAusland.

MacAusland says with the peso being so low it's hard for fire brigades to buy the equipment they need as it often has to be order from other countries.

"It's twelve pesos to a dollar so if you're buying out of the US or something it's quite a bit of money to buy anything...it soon adds up what the cost would be to buy a  set of bunker gear for a firefighter."

MacAusland says their fire trucks are OK.

To date, MacAusland has collected about 20 sets of jackets and pants as well as a dozen helmets, gloves and boots from fire departments on P.E.I.

The fire fighters from Mexico are planning to visit P.E.I. this summer. MacAusland says he will either wait and give it to them then or send down a package if the association receives a lot of donations before then.     

He says any donations are welcome and if interested to contact the P.E.I. Firefighters Association.