UK assistance on course to aid Ukranian firefighters

by Breaking NewsPeople

The biggest UK fire service convoy – made up of 22 vehicles and more than 5,000 items of kit and equipment donated by UK fire and rescue services – has been deployed to support firefighters in Ukraine.

The convoy, which left for Poland last weekend, also comprised of more than 60 volunteers from FIRE AID and fire and rescue services. The aid is providing vitally needed equipment to support firefighters, emergency services and volunteers, battling together on the frontline.

Vehicles underwent final checks and the convoy departed Kent on March 19. The estimated journey time to Poland was three days, after which the equipment was transferred to Ukraine. The equipment is expected to support emergency services which are dealing daily with fires and other emergencies to protect lives, people, and property.

Coordinated by UK charity, FIRE AID and International Development (FIRE AID), the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), and the fire industry through the Fire Industry Association, the 22-strong vehicle convoy includes 15 fire engines, an incident response unit, a hydraulic rescue platform, mechanical support for the journey, and two lorries containing equipment such as thermal imaging cameras, generators, lighting, hoses, and thousands of sets of PPE. 

The deployment of these donations is being supported by funding from the UK Home Office, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and the FIA Foundation, as well as through a public appeal via JustGiving.

The wider fire sector – including the MSA Safety, Fire Sector Federation (FSF), the Fire and Rescue Suppliers [FIRESA] Council and the Fire Industry Association (FIA) – are also key partners in supporting and making the deployment.

Claire Hoyland, Project Manager, FIRE AID said: “We’re calling this a mega convoy as it is not only mega in size, but it has been truly a monumental effort from all involved. Within two weeks we have put together the biggest ever donation of aid from UK Fire and Rescue services. I am so proud of everyone involved and so grateful for the support of our project partners, including EASST, NFCC, and the Home Office, along with many others who have contributed time, money, and assistance.

“FIRE AID members have been working in Ukraine for more than a decade. We have a number of friends and colleagues within the Ukrainian fire service battling fires and responding to emergencies on the front line. We know that this donation is much needed and we are proud to be able to help in whatever way we can.”

Mark Hardingham, Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, said: “To see the convoy of fire vehicles – packed with thousands of pieces of firefighting equipment, start its journey was incredibly humbling; every firefighter and volunteer involved should be immensely proud of how their amazing work is making this a reality. This firefighting kit will soon be with Ukrainian emergency services, helping our firefighter colleagues to save lives and protect their local communities – often whilst under devastating attacks.”

UK fire services collect kits for Ukraine firefighters

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Fire services across the UK are donating thousands of items of kit and equipment to their counterparts in Ukraine.  

UK charity, FIRE AID and International Development (FIRE AID), and the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) are coordinating donations of more than 5,000 items of fire and rescue equipment and PPE which will be sent in convoy to Ukraine.   

Eighteen fire engines, thermal imaging cameras for finding victims, generators, lighting, hoses, rescue equipment, and thousands of sets of PPE are among the items being donated. Every fire service across the UK has stepped in to support these efforts. 

The deployment of these donations is being supported by funding from the Home Office, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and the FIA Foundation, as well as through a public appeal via JustGiving – https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/KeepUkraineFireFightersSafe

Following a successful scoping visit to Poland conducted by FIRE AID volunteers this week, an initial convoy of three fire engines and a lorry of PPE and rescue equipment will depart the UK today, led by the Scottish Emergency Rescue Association (SERA).  

FIRE AID is then coordinating a subsequent convoy consisting of 15 fire engines and two lorries of equipment, donated by fire services across the UK, which will depart on 19th March. 40 UK firefighters will join FIRE AID volunteers as part of the team driving the vehicles across Europe, where it will be received by the Polish State Fire Service and transferred to Ukraine.  

When it reaches Ukraine, the equipment will be used to support firefighters, emergency services and volunteers who are battling together on the front line, often using old or worn equipment. They are dealing daily with fires and other emergencies to protect lives, people and property as the invasion devastates the country.  

Claire Hoyland, project manager, FIRE AID said: “FIRE AID and its members have over 25 years of experience responding to requests for aid and support for emergency services in over 50 countries. Following the invasion of Ukraine, our members immediately mobilised to gather equipment and aid to donate to their Ukrainian counterparts. FIRE AID members have been working in partnership with the Ukrainian emergency services since 2012 and we are proud to be coordinating this unprecedented emergency response on behalf of the UK Fire Sector.” 

Priti Patel, Home Secretary, said: “The British Government and British people are standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and its citizens during this barbaric invasion. 

“I have been speaking regularly to my counterpart at Ukraine’s Interior Ministry and the Ukrainian Ambassador in London to understand what practical help we can offer. 

“We are helping to ensure that crucial fire and rescue equipment and PPE donated by Fire and Rescue Services will get to where it can directly provide succour to those brave firefighters, emergency services and volunteers on the front line in Ukraine.” 

Mark Hardingham, chair, National Fire Chiefs Council said: “As the terrible scenes unfold in Ukraine, the UK fire and rescue service is once again doing all it can to support those who urgently need help. The response has been incredible and it is testament to the public, private and voluntary sectors combining resources, enthusiasm and skills in response to the crisis. Thousands of items of kit and equipment – along with fire engines – have been donated to help the Ukrainian emergency services, battling together on the front line, as they strive to save lives and protect people and property.  

“I cannot express how proud I am of everyone who has come together to support this; from getting the equipment together, the hard work which has gone into ensuring the logistics of one of the largest convoys we have seen, to volunteering to be part of the journey itself. This is our sector at its very best – selflessly working together and supporting one other – ultimately helping and hoping to save lives.” 

The wider fire sector – including the MSA Safety, Fire Sector Federation (FSF), the Fire and Rescue Suppliers [FIRESA] Council and the Fire Industry Association (FIA) – are also key partners in supporting and making the deployment. 

Clifton firefighters launch statewide gear collection for counterparts in Ukraine

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Firefighters in Clifton, North Jersey have started a statewide gear collection drive to help their counterparts in Ukraine. 

Pat Trentacost, fire chief, Passaic said: “What I’m seeing is nothing less than miraculous as they’re working to remove victims with limited resources, regardless of the potential of being killed by Russian attack.”

Clifton’s fire chief Frank Prezioso reached out to enlist his help to collect surplus fire equipment for Ukraine’s fire service. Trentacost had seen photos of firetrucks and apparatus buried in rubble after Russian attacks.

Prezioso said the idea came from third-year Clifton firefighter Oleg Skachko, who emigrated from Ukraine when he was 14.

Skachko’s first thought was to gather personal protection equipment, also known as turnout gear, for Ukraine’s firefighters. He had been contacted by friends in Ukraine who knew he was a firefighter, and their requests resonated, first with him and later with his peers. 

In Ukraine, Skachko lived next to a fire station and when he moved to the US in 2022, he lived just down street from a Paterson fire station. He wanted to be a firefighter for as long as he could remember, he told NorthJersey.com. 

Clifton is taking the lead in organising the effort to collect equipment and has reached out to fire departments across the region. The aim is to get departments from around New Jersey to contribute equipment to help their firefighters in Ukraine. 

The worry is that as the war continues and resources are destroyed, firefighters would be forced to work in their street clothes.  

Passaic discovered that neck collars, backboards, bandages and other supplies would soon be in high demand. In terms of shipping, the heavy, bulky equipment is being shipped to nearby areas which will then be transported to Ukraine. This is because several airports in Ukraine were targeted by Russians forces early on in the invasion.