South Bend Fire donates equipment to Guatemalan firefighters

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The South Bend Fire Department donated some of its used equipment to volunteer firefighters in Guatemala.

When the department gets new gear, they donate the used gear if it still usable.

Their donations helped replace gear Guatemalan firefighters lost when a volcano erupted last June.

“South Bend made a very significant gift to the country and for the fire department," said Carlos Balthasar, a Guatemalan firefighter. "And again, thank you- thank you very much, on behalf of the Voluntary Fire Department of Guatemala.”

The donated gear will help out 11 different firefighting units in Guatemala.