Firefighters in West Yorkshire donate equipment to Ukraine
The service are working with others around the UK to donate more than 5,000 items
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service are joining others around the UK in donating items of kit and equipment to firefighters in Ukraine.
The service are sending 12 pallets of fire kit, 12 pallets of hoses and an assortment of ladders. Six inflatable boats are also being sent at a later date.
Dave Teggart, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service Operations Manager said “Our staff and particularly our support teams have worked incredibly hard to pull these donations together.
“Over the last two weeks staff at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service have been following the Ukraine situation and thinking about the people of Ukraine, and other parts of the world affected by war and conflict.
“We feel a particular bond and affinity with our fellow firefighters who are doing an already dangerous job in the most extraordinary of circumstances - and send good wishes for their safety.
"We stand shoulder to shoulder with them in spirit if not in body. Peace and safety is what we all wish for. Until that is achieved we will continue to hold them in our thoughts, and support them where we can.”
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 (Friday 11th March), 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.
Claire Hoyland, Project Manager, FIRE AID commented: “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.”