Metro Supply Chain Group and Firefighters Without Borders collaborate to transport needed fire equipment to St. Lucia and make a difference in our world

What does it take to move a 20,000-kilogram (44,000-pound) fire truck and equipment from Mississauga, Ontario to the Caribbean Island of St. Lucia? A passion for helping, a deep logistics network and years of supply chain expertise.

Founded in 2002, Firefighters Without Borders (FWB) is a charitable organization dedicated to helping fire departments around the world prepare for the next emergency. In addition to equipping under-resourced fire services, FWB provides hands-on training and ongoing technical support to encourage communities to become proficient in firefighting and self-sustaining. St. Lucia is just one of 20 countries where FWB is making a difference.

Donated to FWB by Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services, Evolution Time Critical relocated the truck, hoses and flashlights by both land and sea. The specialist transport arm of end-to-end supply chain solutions company, Metro Supply Chain Group, Evolution Time Critical has the skills, experience and network to facilitate even the most challenging delivery timelines and scenarios.

“As a global logistics supplier, we are able to harness the power of different modes of transport and are ideally positioned to support FWB in getting essential firefighting equipment to wherever it is needed. This latest project far surpassed anything we’ve done for the charity in terms of the scale and size of the shipment, however it was a challenge we relished. We look forward to seeing the fire truck at work on the streets of Castries,” said Kevin Kendall, Metro Supply Chain Group’s VP and Business Leader of Consumer Packaged Goods, and a recent FWB Board Member.

This herculean effort is just one of the many collaborations between Metro Supply Chain Group and FWB in their four-year community partnership. Since 2017, Metro Supply Chain Group has handled more than 100 shipments of donated products across the Americas on behalf of FWB, as well as supporting the charity with packaging and warehousing facilities. It also provided transportation to collect additional donations to the charity from around the Ontario and Calgary regions, and organized a charity day during which volunteers from across Metro Supply Chain Group helped prepare the shipment for transport.

“Metro’s support over the past four years has been vital in helping us to get vital firefighting equipment to the people who need it most. This is by far the biggest item we have approached them to transport, but they have truly risen to the challenge in delivering the fire truck to St Lucia where it will play a vital role in protecting the people and buildings of the island,” said Acting District Chief Craig Dockeray, who is also the VP of FWB’s Board of Directors.

Partnering with FWB is just one of the investments Metro Supply Chain Group is making in local, like-minded organizations as part of the company’s commitment to supporting our communities, world and planet.

“It’s part of our DNA to want to help and our collaboration with FWB is a great example of using our passion to support a valued organization that directly saves lives,” said Kendall.

About Metro Supply Chain
Metro Supply Chain is a strategic supply chain solutions partner for some of the world’s fastest growing and most recognizable organizations. Managing more than 12 million square feet in over 96 sites across North America and Europe with a team of 6,000, it is the largest privately-owned supply chain solutions company based in Canada. For almost 50 years, Metro Supply Chain’s scale, wide capabilities and entrepreneurial structure has enabled it to meet its customers’ most challenging supply chain needs, including the creation of complex e-commerce fulfillment and last-mile delivery networks.