Convoy of life-saving equipment donated to Ukraine
Among 15,000 pieces of equipment are making their way across Europe
A convoy containing numerous items of life-saving firefighting equipment from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue is leaving the country today (8 April) heading to Ukraine.
Amongst the 15,000 pieces of equipment making their way across Europe is some hydraulic cutting equipment and thermal imaging cameras.
This eighth convoy means a total of 119 vehicles have been donated, alongside 200,000 pieces of equipment, since the invasion began three years ago.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Glynn Luznyj, said: “We are proud to be working alongside our UK fire and rescue service colleagues, Fire Aid and the NFCC to help donate equipment for the eighth convoy.
“We are pleased that this project will go some way to help firefighters in Ukraine whose life-saving equipment has been destroyed during the war.”
Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime Ben Adams said: “Russian attacks in Ukraine continue to have a detrimental impact on Ukrainian people, buildings and services, including the emergency services.
“I’m delighted that Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service is helping to donate essential equipment to help firefighters in Ukraine in their common purpose of keeping people safe, saving lives and protecting property.”
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.
Meanwhile, 411 firehouses and 1,700 fire vehicles have been destroyed and 95 firehouses are now in occupied territories.
In response, UK fire and rescue services (FRSs), in partnership with the UK Government, National Resilience, International Search and Rescue, FIRE AID, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), and the Fire Industry Association (FIA), have come together to support their Ukrainian counterparts.