Capt. Blain Buchanan said there are several places within the O’Leary fire district that the equipment could prove useful in an emergency.
It would prove helpful, he said, in rescuing someone from a manhole, towers at the fertilizer plant, the basement of wind turbine towers or from the nacelles at the top of the towers, and from grain storage tanks or similar structures.
Some of the equipment will enable the department to supply oxygen to rescuers and victims for extended periods from outside of the confined space.
The equipment will not be restricted to the O’Leary district, though.
Buchanan said the department will make the equipment available for use in any confined space rescue within West Prince Mutual Aid and is prepared to take it further if a situation arises.
The equipment will cost about $13,000 and, already, $5,500 has been raised through donations.
The department is hoping to get a portion of the cost covered through the Island Community Fund.
The department recently received a $1,000 donation from P.E.I. Mutual and $750 the O’Leary Farmers’ Co-op raised in a joint effort with the O’Leary legion and fire department during and Atlantic Products Meal in the fall.
Terry Shea, CEO and general manager of P.E.I. Mutual, said his company was pleased to be able to support all of West Prince Mutual Aid through its donation.
The O’Leary department currently has 25 regular firefighters and three auxiliary firefighters.
