IFRM, IAWF form new partnership

             

Based on their mutual goal of protecting firefighter health and safety, the International Fire Relief Mission and the International Association of Wildland Fire have reached an agreement to work together.

IFRM is a charitable organization with no political or religious affiliation that delivers used and serviceable firefighting and EMS equipment and instruction to needy fire departments in developing nations. Started and operated by retired fire/EMS professionals, IFRM collects used firefighting equipment from U.S. fire departments and ships it to developing countries; its next shipments will go to Central and South America. When IFRM delivers the donated equipment, its members stay on long enough to demonstrate its use.

In recent years, wildland fires have taken a heavy toll in life and property around the world — especially in Australia, Greece and California. "Imagine the damage fires of those magnitudes would have done had they occurred in some of the countries IFRM works with, such as Moldova," says Ron Gruening, the group's president. "That is why IFRM is expanding its donated equipment to include wildland fire-fighting gear and education.

"IAWF's wide-reaching network of members will be invaluable in spreading the word about IFRM's life-saving mission and help it collect gear here in the United States and deliver it to impoverished fire departments."

The IAWF currently has members in 22 countries and, as part of its mission, provides leadership in the wildland fire community.