St. Marys Fire Department to Purchase State-of-the-Art Rescue System

Thanks to a grant from the Enbridge Safe Community program, the St. Marys Fire Department will soon be able to purchase a new, heavy lift air rescue bag system as well as smoke and carbon dioxide alarms.  

“Air bags are not pieces of equipment that are used every day, but if a victim is pinned underneath a heavy object, air bags are often the preferred option for freeing them,” St. Marys Fire Department Chief Andy Anderson says. “Air bags can be used in a variety of incidents including building collapses, heavy extrications and industrial entrapments.”

The St. Marys Fire Department’s previous air rescue bag system was removed from service two months ago due to its age and the Department would have needed to wait to replace them due to budget constraints – which is why Chief Anderson applied for the grant through Enbridge.

“Small communities all across Canada rely on fire departments, ambulance services, and other emergency responders to keep them safe. Equipment that could enhance the capabilities of these first responders, in a resource-constrained environment, is a luxury for some communities,” Enbridge Senior Advisor, Community Engagement Ken Hall says.

Enbridge’s Safe Community program has existed in the United States since 2002 and in Canada since 2009 and has invested nearly $12 million in North American emergency responder organizations since its inception.

“The St. Marys Fire Department would like to extend our deepest appreciation to Enbridge for their financial assistance. We strive hard to always give our residents the level of service they deserve and help like this makes it so much easier,” Chief Anderson says.

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Contact

Matthew Brown | Corporate Communications & Events Manager

519-284-2340, ext. 205 | mbrown@town.stmarys.on.ca