While traveling in a former Soviet Bloc country, Ron Gruening, a retired paramedic and active volunteer firefighter, did what any firefighter would do — he stopped in a fire station. The conditions he saw and the stories he heard from the ill-equipped firefighters inspired him to launch the International Fire Relief Mission, a humanitarian group that ships fire and EMS gear donated by U.S. fire departments to needy departments in developing countries.

Why did you start IFRM?

It was a simple response from one firefighter to another. Seeing the lack of equipment or the condition of gear in some locations reminded me of the hand-me-downs I received as a rookie more than 20 years ago; in some cases, what I had then still would provide more protection than what they have now. While in Moldova, local firefighters told of how they often stood helplessly by burning houses or apartment buildings knowing they were too ill-equipped and ill-trained to do anything else. The fire chief asked if we could help them get the basics. We were able to ship them a 40-foot sea container with several hundred sets of turnouts, SCBA, helmets, boots, gloves, some hand tools and a compressor system. That was our first relief effort.

Why ship outside the U.S. when departments here need equipment?

Our firefighters shouldn't have to focus on how to get non-compliant gear from neighboring communities. I wish private, local and state programs were better promoted to inform fire departments about how to get compliant equipment. Lately, we have spent a fair amount of time connecting U.S. fire departments with local programs in hopes that they can receive the necessary equipment to do the job safely. The American FIRE Grants have helped reduce the hand-me-down problems of the past. But I'm very concerned about what effect reduced federal funding and state and local budget shortfalls will have on firefighter safety.

Nearly all of the gear we collect no longer complies with U.S. standards but still has service life. The service life left in equipment we send overseas exceeds what those firefighters are currently using. This gear buys them time to budget and plan for a better and safer fire program.

So you are concerned about the reduction in FIRE Grant funding?

Grant funding has been a key to our getting donated equipment. Less new equipment for U.S. fire departments means less used equipment available for donation. So any reduction at that level will limit our program at some point. We may have to reduce the volume of goods we send to a location. We try to match what our counterparts around the world have done. However, we'll not have the resources to send as much equipment and our team's length of stay in the field will be reduced.

What type of equipment does IFRM accept?

The primary need is all PPE (helmet, coats, pants, gloves, hoods,) and also SCBA with bottles and masks. Our secondary need is for any tools used to fight structural or wildland fires. We also need rescue and extrication tools, and anything EMS-related. We are now accepting apparatus in all configurations. We receive, on average, one request per week from fire departments around the world looking this type of help.

Is there liability for U.S. departments that donate to IFRM?

It's best if each department deals with this question in a way they are most comfortable with. We have a document that IFRM and donors can sign that releases them from liability. Our release form may not fit municipal attorneys' needs, so I invite them to craft one they can work with. Liability isn't an issue in the countries we are working with; they don't have rules, guidelines or laws relating to fire equipment. They are just so thankful for the gear.

How can a department donate equipment?

We ask departments to hold gear at a state school. That way we can come with a trailer or semi to gather donations from many departments at one stop. We have collection centers in some states and are looking to expand this network. Some departments have driven the donation to us, which helps us a lot and gives them a chance to see the warehouse and our operation.

Has the recession impacted IFRM?

Some corporate support and certainly private donations have gone way down. But the requests for help have continued.

How do you pay for IFRM's activities?

We are a nonprofit, 501c3 organization. Everything comes from donations and volunteered services. We have an incredible support network that is developing all the time. All of our team members find their own funding for travel, meals, etc; no one affiliated with IFRM takes money for what they do. We are fortunate to have great sponsors like Rosenbauer, GearGrid, Lion Apparel and FRC. But, we always need much more help. We have substantial costs associated with collections, packaging, shipping, and demonstrations.

Is the equipment repaired or cleaned before shipment?

We inspect all donations for safe active-duty use. We will not ship anything that our staff would not use. Our facility doesn't permit us to clean before shipping. However, during training with the recipient departments, we talk about the importance in proper turnout inspection and cleaning.

What's next for IFRM?

In July, IFRM shipped materials to Papua New Guinea and will follow with a team sometime in November. The gear and training will help establish three fire departments and one island airport fire department. This fall we are also going to Roatan Island, where our delivery will include a truck donated from Norfolk, Conn., and a 20-foot sea container of gear. We'll also send a team there. We have similar trips set for winter and spring to Bolivia and Peru.

Where do you see IFRM in the next five or 10 years?

Ideally we will have developed our international alliances and continued distributing American donated equipment around the world. Coordinated worldwide relief efforts will be necessary for effective distribution. It will also play a critical part in recipient countries' development by helping them help themselves.

Rick Markley is the volunteer media manager for the International Fire Relief Mission. He also is a volunteer firefighter.