A convoy of 30 fire and rescue vehicles, two mechanics’ vehicles, and an Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) carrying over 2,800 items of surplus equipment has set off [this morning] for the Polish-Ukrainian border.
27 Brigade staff, together with firefighters and Fire Aid staff from across the UK have volunteered to drive the vehicles as part of the convoy, delivering the vital fire and rescue kit and equipment.
As part of a coordinated effort led by Fire Aid and the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), the Brigade has donated Command Support Units, a fire engine and hose branches (used to direct the flow of water at the end of a fire hose). London firefighters are the largest contingent of fire service staff with 25 drivers, one ISAR (International Search and Rescue) team member and an ISAR medic.
Borough Commander for Newham Richard Arnold is part of the team driving to Poland. He said: “The ongoing crisis in Ukraine is a tragedy. Having watched the news it compelled me to want to do something to help. I heard from firefighters in my area who participated in a previous convoy relief effort and they told me how proud they were to support this work. When I saw the opportunity to take part, I jumped at the chance.
“I am proud to represent the Brigade, supporting this worthwhile cause. Everyone taking part is in good spirits. It’s a great opportunity to meet fellow firefighters from across the UK and to work together for a common goal.”
Deputy Assistant Commissioner and Fire Aid Steering committee member Lucy MacLeod said: “I'm proud that we have been able to support the Ukrainian firefighters in their ongoing struggle to provide emergency response. Our staff from different teams and departments have come to together to make this happen. This equipment will save lives. I have admiration for those who have volunteered their time to take the donated equipment where it is needed most.”
Former Brigade staff member and current Fire Aid Chair, David O’Neill MBE, said: “I'm so pleased that the UK fire sector is once again coming together to support firefighters in Ukraine. This is our seventh convoy of equipment since the full-scale war broke out and tragically, we’re seeing firefighters being targeted more and more. Just recently three firefighters were killed during an air strike along with an entire fire station and all its equipment.
“We know this donation will help support stations across Ukraine who have lost all their equipment and enable them to continue their vital support to their communities in their hour of need. The impact that our donations are already having in Ukraine is clear, but it provides more than physical protection for firefighters; it shows they are not alone and gives them hope and courage to continue risking their own lives to save others.”
National Fire Chiefs Council Chair, Mark Hardingham, said: “We have witnessed the sheer strength and resilience of Ukrainian firefighters since the day the war began. With the war continuing and the task before them increasingly challenging, the UK and international firefighter community will continue to provide support however we can.”
The UK ISAR team is made up of teams from fire and rescue services across Britain, who can be deployed to disasters around the globe, on behalf of the UK government. These firefighters and staff volunteer themselves to be part of ISAR and are specially trained to work overseas providing support in major incidents, such as earthquakes and large forest fires.