Bay Roberts Fire Rescue seeking safer bunker gear

By Olivia Bradbury, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Town of Bay Roberts is supporting its local fire department’s efforts to buy safer bunker gear.

Councillor Ross Petten raised the matter during council’s March 10 public meeting.

The gear costs $20,011, but a grant from the Province’s fire services division will cover 70 percent of it, Petten noted, leaving the Town to pay the remaining 30 percent.

Petten’s motion was for council to direct staff to apply for the provincial funding.

Deputy Mayor Neil Kearley put Petten’s recommendation in the form of a motion, which was seconded by councillor Dean Franey, who is a member of Bay Roberts Fire Rescue.

“As you can see, the gear is not getting cheaper, and especially now that we’ve had to go with the PFAS-free (equipment),” Franey said.

PFAS stands for per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Bunker gear has long contained what are also known as ‘forever chemicals,’ which have been discovered to pose health risks, including increased risk of cancer. For years, while firefighters responded to emergencies and protected the public, they were unknowingly at risk putting on the very suits meant to protect them.

“The bunker gear that we’ve been wearing for years actually has cancer-causing agents in it. So, just reiterating the importance of applying for funding to stretch our dollars as much as possible,” said Franey.

“I would think that’s incumbent upon us to protect those who protect our citizens,” added Kearley.

Bay Roberts Fire Rescue Chief Mike Murphy said the department has eight sets of PFAS-free gear and is hoping to add four more sets if they receive the grant.

Council voted unanimously to give staff approval to apply for the grant.

Bay Roberts council recently took a moment to recognize Rodney Reid, a retiring member of Bay Roberts Fire Rescue, with a certificate marking his 20 plus years of service. Council also recognized retiring member Trevor Bowering for 40 years of service. Bowering could not attend the meeting, but council hopes to present him with his certificate at a later date. From left are Deputy Mayor Neil Kearley, Fire Chief Mike Murphy, councillors Perry Bowering and Silas Badcock, Rodney Reid, Mayor Geoff Seymour, and councillors Ross Petten and Dean Franey. Olivia Bradbury photo