Members of the Alberta Society for Firefighters Abroad (ASFA) were welcomed by Kneehill County Council and area firefighters to accept the donation of two fire engines from Kneehill County on Wed. Nov. 4, 2020. From the left: Drayton Bussiere with Lacombe County Fire and ASFA, Art Creasser of Three Hills Fire, Eric Nicholas of ASFA, Dan Balderson of Carbon Fire, Dan Marsellus of Kneehill County Fire, Kneehill County Councillor Wade Christie, Reeve Jerry Wittstock, Councillor Glen Keiver, Councillor Kenneth King, Councillor Debbie Penner, Deputy Reeve Faye McGhee. ECA Review/Submitted
At the Oct. 27 regular council meeting, Kneehill County Council moved to donate fire engines E11 and K2 to the Alberta Society for Firefighters Abroad.
The K2 is a 1986 Mack pumper that has been in storage as a spare unit, but no longer meets NFPA standards on pumping capabilities. Engine E11 is a 1999 GMC that has surpassed its NFPA front line life cycle.
“With the recent purchase of new fire engines, these units are no longer needed by fire departments in the area,” said Kneehill County Reeve, Jerry Wittstock.
“Council is happy to be donating these trucks to this worthwhile cause, and hopes the donation of these apparatus will assist those less fortunate with their fire safety and training.”
The Alberta Society for Firefighters Abroad (ASFA) is an organization on a mission to build the capacity and safety of firefighters and emergency services abroad through apparatus, equipment, and training projects.
Based out of Lacombe, the ASFA is a society made up of past and present emergency responders, community members, and supporters.
Their primary base of operations abroad is in Paraguay, where they have successfully made seven significant donations to numerous fire departments.
When a truck is donated through the organization, the ASFA sends enough equipment, PPE and supplies along with the donated truck so it can be in-service when it arrives.
Shortly after the arrival of the truck and equipment, a small group travels down to Paraguay to train the receiving department on the use and maintenance of the apparatus and equipment.
Learn more about ASFA and their work in Paraguay at Facebook.com/AlbertaSFA
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