Palos Park Firefighters Will Breathe Cleaner Air Thanks To Donation

PALOS PARK, IL — Firefighters with the Palos Fire District will have more protection on the job now thanks to a donation of 25 respirator/mask devices that were donated to the department on Monday as part of a partnership with an Orland Park company.

The donation of the mask/respirator devices are valued at $5,000 and was made possible thanks to the generosity of EZCloud Solutions, which is a multi-faceted company based in Orland Park. The masks were provided to the local first responders as part of National Preparedness Month, which is observed during the month of September, according to a news release.

Michael Gabriele, deputy chief of the Palos Fire District, said that the donation of the masks and respirators took place during a ceremony at the local department on Monday in Palos Park.

“These TR1 Respirators are invaluable to the safety of our firefighters as they manage calls”, Gabriele said in the release. “The level of protection provided to each officer is unmatched without the use of far more complex and costly breathing apparatus.”

The respirators/masks are reusable and easily sanitized, according to EZCloud company officials. The Electrostatic replaceable filter can last up to a full two weeks of use depending on the environment. Each respirator/mask unit consists of a rugged nylon tactical carrying case with TR1 tactical respirator/mask, plus five electrostatic replacement filters.

The masks will be provided to the fire district’s staff for use in the field. Company officials said that the TR1 respirator/mask is rated higher than the disposable N95 masks, with the ability to filter 99 percent of 0.1-micron particles or larger.

“This translates into superior protection from COVID and any other harmful particulates that may be airborne for our first responders,” Victor Kress, president of EzCloud Solutions said in the news release.

“EzCloud’s mission is to keep individuals safe and breathing clean air.

Kress also said that it is important for local firefighters to have such masks on the job as they help first responders breathe cleaner and safer air in order to mitigate long-term occupational risk.