By David Fleet
dfleet@mihomepaper.com
Atlas Twp. — Obsolete bunker gear, once used to protect township firefighters, will soon find a new assignment in Honduras.
Earlier this year the township board of trustees voted to donate retired bunker gear and some equipment that no longer is considered acceptable by the National Fire Protection Association to Aid for Medicine, Education and Disasters In Central America, USA.
The nonprofit group collects and ships the gear and equipment for firefighters in Honduras, a Central American nation between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. In addition, through donations, the group will even ship fire trucks and other emergency equipment.
The National Fire Protection Association requires firefighter gear to be replaced every 10 years no matter the condition, said Ed Klimek, township assistant fire chief.
“There are only 44 fire stations in Honduras and they have less money than Guatemala where we donated the last group,” said Klimek. “The Atlas Township packs alone we donated will outfit four stations.”
Klimek said the gear is donated due to the liability of departments that have to follow the NFPA standard.
“We have searched for years to find someone suitable that might be able to put the gear to use as most is in great condition. It’s just taking up space.”