Province commits over $3 million for firefighting equipment
By Mark Squibb
Premier Andrew Furey was in Holyrood Friday before last to announce the Province will spend over $3 million to replace more than 300 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) units across the province.
“I was going to do the announcement in a breathing apparatus, but I thought I might sound too much like Darth Vader,” quipped Furey, who donned a set of bunker gear for the occasion.
The SCBA unit is a respirator that supplies firefighters with oxygen in dangerous environments. All told, 55 volunteer fire departments across the province will benefit from the announcement.
“We know that there are dozens of volunteer fire departments in Newfoundland and Labrador using a variety of different Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses that will be discontinued, unfortunately, in the coming months,” said Furey. “And you don’t need to be a fire fighting expert to know that this seems like an essential piece of equipment.”
Furey was joined by a number of guests, including Minister of Justice and Public Safety Bernard Davis, Fire Commissioner Robert Fowler, President of Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services Duane Antle, Holyrood Mayor Gary Goobie and other members of staff and council, as well as Holyrood’s acting Fire Chief Leslie Kenny.
“The reality truly is that when people are running away from fires, you’re running towards it,” said Furey. “And for all volunteer firefighters and career firefighters, I know that that comes with great sacrifice. It truly exemplifies true heroism.”
Furey said he was proud to do the announcement in Holyrood, as his family hails from the area.
“I spent all my summers growing up in Holyrood, on both sides of my family actually,” said Furey. “So, I feel an incredible attachment to this area because of my family roots, but I’m also incredibly proud to be here as someone who comes from, on my wife’s side, a family of firefighters.”
The $3 million in funding for the SCBA units is in addition to monies already allocated in Budget 2024 for firefighting vehicles and equipment.
The president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services, Duane Antle, admitted the funding request was a big ask on the part of the association, and he was glad to see it approved.
“When you’re a volunteer firefighter, there’s a lot of things that keep you up at night, but the one thing that really stands out, and places a significant burden on us, is how do we ensure that we keep our people safe?” said Antle.
Holyrood’s acting Fire Chief Leslie Kenny said the department was honoured to host the event.
“We are all about the community and supporting one another, so we were more than happy to have everyone here,” said Kenny. “It was a great honour.”
Kenny said the SCBA is a crucial piece of equipment.
“We couldn’t do our jobs without these,” said Kenny. “Our firefighters would not be safe without this equipment. If we don’t have this, we don’t have anything.”
According to government’s estimation, there are some 6,000 volunteer firefighters in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Holyrood’s acting Fire Chief Leslie Kenny helps Premier Andrew Furey with a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus at an event in Holyrood on Friday, September 13. Furey was in Holyrood to announce the Province is spending over $3 million to replace more than 300 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) units in fire departments across the province. Mark Squibb photo