A convoy of UK fire and rescue services, including Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, delivering more than 15,000 pieces of life-saving firefighting equipment to Ukrainian firefighters is on its way to the Ukraine.
Thirty fire and rescue vehicles, including 26 fire engines, are being donated.
Eighteen 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.
“Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service has been part of multiple convoys in an effort to support our Ukrainian colleagues through the donation of fire engines and equipment,” said Area Commander Lee Watson.
“Ukrainian firefighters display incredible bravery daily, risking their lives to protect their communities despite limited resources and immense danger.
“We recognise the ongoing challenge and are privileged to be able to support their efforts.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Fire Authority for supporting these donations, all the staff that have made this possible and the volunteers who have selflessly given up their own time to participate in the delivery of this essential equipment.”
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, while 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.
CAPTION: The last time – some of the vehicles in the previous convoy in October 2022 ready for departure to Ukraine