Belize firefighters to receive Water View fire truck gift

June 22, 2022

On May 27, the Upper Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department (UMVFD) in Water View donated a truck that it had taken out of service to the “Belize Heroes” program that recycles outdated, but usable, firefighting equipment to the Caribbean nation of Belize. UMVFD Lieutenant Bucky Luck, left, hands the truck title to Archibald “Mac” McFarlane, founder of Belize Heroes. McFarlane, who has worked for the Hanover Fire and EMS for the past 13 years, said Belize has 17 fire stations to cover an area the size of New Hampshire with a population of 360,000. Other Middlesex and neighboring fire departments, as well as Riverside Walter Reed Hospital, have donated used equipment to Belize Heroes. (Photo by Tom Chillemi)

by Tom Chillemi –

A Water View 1989 Seagrave fire engine is about to begin a new life in the Central American nation of Belize.

The Upper Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department (UMVFD) donated the 33-year-old fire engine that the fire department recently took out of service to the “Belize Heroes” program that recycles outdated, but usable, firefighting equipment to the Caribbean nation of Belize.

The fire engine was recently taken out of service in Middlesex County but can still be used as a primary front-run piece in another country, said UMVFD Chief Billy Collier.

Fire department members were pleased to know the old engine will be useful to others, he said.

The fire engine left the Water View fire station on May 27 with additional fire equipment donated by the Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department in Urbanna as well as medical supplies and CPR manikins donated by Riverside Walter Reed Hospital and Riverside Partners in Women’s Health in Gloucester, he explained. The donated medical supplies can no longer be used according to the regulatory standards in the United States but will be “a blessing to the fire and EMS teams in Belize,” said Chief Collier. Additionally, MVFD donated ground ladders, hose, turnout gear and mobile radio equipment that Belize is currently utilizing. The Lower Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department in Deltaville and the Hartfield Volunteer Fire Department also donated equipment to Belize Heroes. (See May 26 issue of Southside Sentinel, available online.)