Submitted by Donna Cole,
THSA Communications
Tobermory Health Services Auxiliary (THSA) recently provided funding to assist in replacement of boots for firefighters in Northern Bruce Peninsula.
It was such an amazing pleasure meeting with Chief Jack Burt and his volunteer firefighter team! They all expressed their gratitude along with some interesting anecdotes about how these new boots will help them keep us safe and healthy. “Happy Feet” all around! One firefighter noted that the old boots could literally “fall off their feet” when crawling out of a fire!
Prior to getting these new high tech and comfortable boots, fire fighters in North Bruce (19 fire fighters) wore Harvik Viking rubber fire fighter boots. Chief Burt outlined that the Harvik boots are very cold in the winter and very hot in the summer, as they are not breathable. Given that they are a rubber boot, they are also quite uncomfortable to wear for a lengthy period (such as a long burning barn fire). All 19 pairs needed to be replaced this year.
Chief Burt worked with Lin Gitterman (THSA President) to get funding approved by the THSA members to assist in replacement of the rubber Harvik Viking boots to an upgraded Lion Thorogood Leather Firefighting boot. The new boot is leather, fully insulated, less slippery and breathable. Chief Burt budgets for the rubber firefighting boot and the THSA has provided the cost difference for the new boots. The old boots will be recycled.
These new firefighting boots were in action at two separate structure fires on September 30th. Firefighters expressed their thanks and gratitude to THSA for this generous donation.
While the THSA has not historically funded this type of project, our volunteer fire fighters play a crucial role in ensuring the health, safety and resilience of our community. They provide emergency medical response in the North Bruce where professional firefighting services are non-existent often in cold and icy conditions on Highway 6. We at the THSA are so pleased and proud to have been able to support our incredible volunteer firefighting team! As Captain Ben Rees said “Happy Fire Fighter Feet, less pain on the street”!
