Manoah Lodge No. 141 has donated a new LifePak cardiac defibrillator to the Ucluelet Volunteer Fire Brigade.
Here is a link to the local newspaper report in the Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News
Ucluelet fire chief Rick Geddes accepts a new LIFEPAK from freemasons Sandy Henry and John McIntosh on July 30. This is the second time the Manoah Masonic Lodge has donated a piece of lifesaving equipment to the Ucluelet Volunteer Fire Brigade. (Nora O’Malley / Westerly News)
Freemasons donate to LifePak cardiac defibrillator Ucluelet Volunteer Fire Brigade
“The donation from these nice gentlemen is going to carrying on our best patient care.”
Manoah Masonic Lodge No. 141 donated a LifePak cardiac defibrillator to the Ucluelet Volunteer Fire Brigade last week.
The donation was presented to fire chief Rick Geddes by Freemasons John McIntosh and Sandy Henry at the July 30 fire practice.
“The donation from these nice gentlemen is going to carrying on our best patient care because our previous machine is about 20 years old. It’s worn out and obsolete. Thanks to Masonic Lodge,” said Geddes, adding that his healthy team of 23 firefighters will all know how to use the piece of lifesaving equipment.
Deputy chief Mark Fortune said the first defibrillator that the Freemasons donated saved two lives.
“The very first time we used it, we got a save. It’s priceless, and we wouldn’t have had that without the help of the Freemasons,” said Fortune.
The LifePak defibrillator that was donated to Ucluelet’s fire team cost about $3,000. It will be put to use when a person is not responding, not moving, not breathing normally or not breathing at all.
Freemonsary is the largest, oldest fraternity in the world with groups in over 350 countries.
“We’re active in all kinds of community work,” said Henry.
“The tenets of Freemasonary include charity and support of the community. We supply [equipment] to hospitals and schools and fire departments and we donate scholarships to the high school every year.”
In May, Manoah Masonic Lodge secretary John McIntosh presented Margaret Morrison from the Westcoast Community Resources Society with a $1,750 donation to put towards the Transition House.
The Manoah Masonic Lodge No. 141 meets once a month in Tofino in the space above Gary’s Kitchen and the BC Liquor Store. The Tofino branch has about 50 members and is governed by the Grand Lodge of B.C. and Yukon.
While they don’t solicit new members, Freemasons always welcome new members from all walks of life.
“Our members come from Tofino, Ucluelet, Port Alberni, and Nanaimo,” notes Manoah secretary McIntosh.”
Here are links to information about Manoah Lodge No. 141 or Joining Manoah Lodge No. 141.