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Oregon Man, CHIEF, Local Fire Departments Equip Iraqi Firefighters

Release Date Nov. 18, 2004

Summary: When Thom Nelson of Newport, Oregon, saw Iraqis wearing flip-flops and t-shirts to fight fires, he approached CHIEF and area fire departments to donate firefighting equipment. Today he picked up turnouts, boots, medic bags and other gear to add to the 4 palettes soon to go to firefighters in Iraq.
"I saw an ordinary guy charging into a blaze wearing flip-flops and a T-shirt," said Thom Nelson about Iraqi firefighters trying to do their jobs, despite inadequate training and equipment. "I thought to myself, 'Whoa, I know we could help the guy there.'"
Some of the gear donated by Eugene-area fire departments
Turnout coats and pants, medic bags, and even bunker boots will soon be on their way to help firefighters in Iraq.
Ever since, Thom has approached CHIEF and Oregon fire departments with one request: let's help equip Iraqi firefighters. Marla Ingram, Operations Manager for CHIEF and the coordinator for CHIEF's efforts to help our troops, has been working with him and area fire departments and districts to gather more gear.

"A company like CHIEF can provide lifesaving equipment to the men and women in the field who are risking their own lives to help people in need," said Marla. "To think that we are able to assist our military in saving additional lives in Iraq is a duty we as a public safety supplier must fulfill."

Departments from Oregon, California, Illinois and Iowa have been donating turnouts, helmets, bags, even boots. Thom himself fought fires in Iraq while serving in the U.S. Navy during the first Gulf War. "If some of this gear helps save some Iraqi's life, that Iraqi would have a better opinion of us, and view us more favorably," said Thom.

The son of a firefighter, Thom lives in Newport, Oregon, where he is the owner of NelSunCo Quality Seafood and Innovations. Thom came to Eugene today to pick up more gear to add to the four palettes he has already acquired for shipment to Iraq. CHIEF, the Coburg Fire District, Monroe Fire District, Lowell Fire District and Dexter Fire District donated $20,000 worth of firefighting equipment. CHIEF, Thom and members from the districts met at the Coburg Fire District's stationhouse. While there Thom picked up 10 boxes of gear, including:

  • 2 pairs of boots
  • 3 sets of turnouts (coats and pants)
  • 2 fire helmets
  • 3 medic bags
  • 3 boxes of Nomex turnouts, suspenders and fire hoods

CHIEF gave Thom $1,000 to help him get more fire gear
In addition to working with fire departments and companies to get firefighting gear donations, CHIEF has given Thom $1,000 for more fire equipment. Thom has a local contact in Iraq who will advise him on the best gear to use the money on.
Part of CHIEF's donations have included 3 new jumpsuits, one turnout coat/pant combo, and 20 pairs of brand-new bunker boots. Bunker boots are a real find for the Iraqis, Thom pointed out while meeting with CHIEF and members of the fire districts this morning. Boots are something that firefighters usually just wear until they're worn to nothing.

CHIEF has also awarded Thom a $1,000 "shopping spree", so he can purchase even more gear for firefighting efforts in Iraq.

Thom hopes to gather enough gear to outfit 10 fire stations in Iraq. He sees his fire equipment campaign as a way to help both Americans and Iraqis. Americans in Iraq will be the first ones using gear for firefighting there, while they train the Iraqis. Once trained, the equipment will be passed to the Iraqi firefighters. "I really think that all the stuff we're doing is going to potentially save one of our guys' lives," said Thom. "That's the least I can do."

More about Thom Nelson's drive to help Iraqi firefighters: