Suffolk Fire donating two engines and kit to Ukrainian fire-fighters
It's their contribution to UK-wide efforts being co-ordinated by the National Fire Chiefs Council and Fire Aid initiative
Suffolk Fire is donating two fire engines and kit to their fellow fire-fighters in Ukraine.
It's their contribution to the on-going national efforts from the National Fire Chiefs Council and Fire Aid initiative, which will see a convoy of donations travel to the war-torn country.
Jon Lacey is Suffolk's Chief Fire Officer, he told us they felt obligated to help: "One of the things that we can do as a fire service is support the firefighters that are over there in the Ukraine.
"It's a dangerous thing to do even when you are well-trained and equipped, but to be able fight fires and rescue people under those circumstances is an incredible achievement.
"But they need the equipment and the support to be able to do that.
"We see the challenging environment that they work in when they are trying to extinguish the fires in the damaged buildings.
"We have been in close contact with Fire Aid and they are helping get all our donations over there, through Poland."
Mr Lacey went on to say these sort of programmes always bring out the best in people and he's really proud about how local authorities have pulled together: "I think the fire service comes together as a family and that's everyone whatever work they do.
"Particularly in Suffolk whether it's our fleet team, officers or fire-fighters- they have all come together to try and make this possible.
"It's been a great effort from Suffolk Fire, supported by the County Council to get all this equipment over to Ukraine.
"All our donations will go on the 2nd deployment and the planning for that starts today, so that collection of equipment is now being gathered to go on that second hit".