Everything has to be done just a little bit different these days due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
To cut down on human contact, the Kipling Fire Department is holding their first-ever online 50-50 fundraiser to raise funds in order to purchase a much-needed thermal imaging camera, which seems to be one of the pieces of equipment that the department needs most at the moment.
“Depending on the brand, this item can cost anywhere from $12,000 to $15,000,” explains Ken Nordal, Fire Chief of the Kipling Fire Department. “The funds from the 50/50 will give the department a good starting point to make that happen.”
A thermal imaging camera is not only designed to detect hot spots at a fire but it can also be used at an accident, for instance. If a person is ejected out of a vehicle you can scan the area and see if there are any changes in temperature to locate a person.
“Whether it’s finding a person under snow, it lets you see the warmth in the ground,” explained Nordal.
“We have had some donations made to the fire department, so along with the funds raised from the 50/50, they will go towards the purchase of this camera trying to get closer to the magic number,” says Nordal.
So what are some of the costs for a Fire Department you may ask?
Turnout gear is said to have a shelf life of 10-15 years, depending on how many calls a fire department handles, this may vary from department to department. The Kipling Fire Department is also purchasing new turnout gear for only a few fighters at a time due to the cost for one firefighter being between $2,500 and $3,000. Full turnout gear includes pants, jacket, boots, helmet, two pair of gloves and fire retardant balaclava.
The air packs and the self-contained breathing apparatus, come at a cost of $8,000 if purchased new. Vehicle extraction tools can cost up to $25,000. The foam that they use for fire retardant on fires costs $200 per 20 litres. At any given fire they’re probably going to pump off seven to 10 litres. Day to day operations of the building, including insurance, also adds into the expenses.
The online 50/50 raffle started Feb. 15, with the current pot sitting at $730, as of Feb. 23.
Tickets sales for Kipling and surrounding area (18 years and older) are $10 for one, $20 for five or $50 for 25 tickets. The draw date is March 15.
Depending on how this 50/50 fundraiser goes, Nordal says they’ll decide after that what kind of fundraiser they’ll try next.
“In the past we’ve done other fundraisers including one where a firearm was donated to the department and we sold tickets on that,” explains Nordal. “We usually end up with around the $3,000 mark following that fundraiser.”
Support the Kipling fire department. Visit kiplingfiredepartment5050.ca to purchase tickets.
