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A convoy of UK fire and rescue services delivering over 15,000 pieces of life saving firefighting equipment to Ukrainian firefighters left yesterday. 30 fire and rescue vehicles, including 26 fire engines, have also been donated.
18 fire and rescue services from across the UK are participating in the convoy, organised by FIRE AID, National Resilience and International Search and Rescue (based out of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service), HM Government, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and the Fire Industry Association (FIA).
The convoy, which is the eighth and largest of its kind, is sponsored by the UK government. It will add to the 119 fire and rescue vehicles and 200,000 pieces of firefighting equipment that have already been donated since the invasion began.
“This latest donation of fire engines and equipment will help replace some of what has been lost in the full-scale war, offering essential support to firefighters who are relentlessly striving to save lives and keep communities safe despite overwhelming challenges. We are deeply proud to contribute in a small but meaningful way to ensuring that our colleagues have the resources they need to carry out their vital work.”
Phil Garrigan, Chair, National Fire Chiefs Council.
The war in Ukraine has had a devastating impact on Ukrainian firefighters. Latest figures from the State Emergency Services of Ukraine show that since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, 100 firefighters have been killed and a further 431 injured, whilst four are currently in captivity and one is missing.
Meanwhile, 411 firehouses and 1,700 fire vehicles have been destroyed, and 95 firehouses are now in occupied territories. Despite these challenges, Ukrainian firefighters continue to operate in the war zone – not to engage in combat, but to save lives and protect property, often at great personal risk.
English and Welsh fire and rescue services have donated all the appliances and kit for the eighth convoy, which ranges from basic firefighting equipment such as hoses, PPE and road traffic collision equipment. About 100 volunteers, drawn from fire and rescue services and FIRE AID, are participating in the convoy.
“FIREAID and partners continue to work tirelessly to support Ukrainian firefighters. The statistics are staggering; more than 100 firefighters have lost their lives, with hundreds injured. Our work is far from done. We remain committed to Ukraine and will continue to offer our unwavering support and assistance to their firefighters risking their lives daily.”
David O’Neill MBE, Chair, FIRE AID.
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