Copulos Foundation directors John Evans, Jacqui Retzos, Chris Copulos, Peter Copulos, Shepparton Fire Brigade Captain Craig Lewis and secretary, treasurer, community safety officer and media co-ordinator Sarah Pearson.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Unlike paid firefighters, volunteer CFA firefighters are not provided with decontamination wipes, which help to remove harmful toxins from the skin immediately after fire-related incidents.
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Thanks to a donation of more than 3500 packets of Dekonmate wipes from the Peter and Maria Copulos Foundation, however, all 73 brigades across District 22 will now have access to improved health and safety.
“This initiative helps ensure our members return home safer after every incident,” Shepparton CFA Captain Craig Lewis said.
Toxic smoke, hazardous chemicals and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons can settle on firefighters’ skin and absorb into the body during structure, vehicle and grass fires.
The Peter and Maria Copulos Foundation chair Peter Copulos and Shepparton Fire Brigade Captain Craig Lewis.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Dekonmate decontamination wipes remove harmful particles from high-absorption areas, including the face, neck, hands and wrist, which are the areas often shown to hold the highest concentration of carcinogenic material after a fire.
With the World Health Organization now recognising firefighting as a profession with an elevated cancer risk, local volunteers are comforted by the donation.
“We’re very grateful as it’s going to make a huge difference to people’s health across 73 brigades in the region,” Shepparton CFA secretary, treasurer, community safety officer and media co-ordinator Sarah Pearson said.
A plaque of appreciation was unveiled at District 22’s headquarters on November 28.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Members from the Peter and Maria Copulos Foundation toured the incident control centre at District 22 in Numurkah Rd as a plaque of appreciation was unveiled in the foyer at its headquarters on Friday, November 28.
“What would we do without you?” Mr Copulos asked local firefighters.
“The effort you put in, the work you do and the dangers you face in your job.
“The government spend money on lots of things, but for important things like this they don’t seem to have the money.”
Mr Copulos said the local community had helped him for 80 years to build big business with his family.
When he built his foundation in the 1990s, it was his way of giving back to the city and he hopes that it will continue to do so for generations to come.
Dekonmate decontamination wipes will be distributed to all 73 CFA brigades within District 22 in the new year.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
“I started looking at emergency services — I’ve supported the GV hospital for 20, 25 years — but I started looking at all other emergency services, fire, ambulance, search and rescue,” Mr Copulos said.
“I didn’t want the money to go out of the Goulburn Valley.”
The wipes cost around $10 a packet.
District 22 has taken delivery of the two pallets, which are expected to last around 12 months.
Captain Lewis and the Shepparton Fire Brigade will lead and co-ordinate the task of distribution and training for other brigades in the district during the new year.
