Today alongside Scottish Emergency Rescue Association (SERA), we paid tribute to staff member Shona Tinch, who sadly lost her battle with cancer earlier this year.
The latest donation of a fully equipped fire engine which has been kindly donated by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, will make its way to the Fire Service in Moldova. Through Shona’s family connection with Fire Aid UK and SERA, the fully equipped fire engine has been named in memory of her.
Moldova had the highest rate of deaths from Road Traffic Collisions (RTC’s) in the world when SERA first visited them in 2008. As a result of the support provided by SERA and working with the Moldovian Fire Service, the number of deaths caused by RTC’s has reduced. SERA receives no funding from the Government or from any UK Embassies and all proceeds are raised by volunteers.
Gary Bennett from Scottish Emergency Rescue Association (SERA) said: "It is a privilege and honour to name and donate this vehicle in celebration of Shona and the many lives she saved as part of her role within the Community Safety Team. The Fire Service is a worldwide family and when we lose one of our own too early, we all mourn – in the same way when we save someone no matter the country where that occurs we all celebrate and this vehicle named after Shona will save hundreds of lives in its continued operational life to continue Shona’s legacy."
Chris Blacksell, HFRS Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive added: "It's an honour to work with Scottish Emergency Rescue Association to name a fire engine in memory of our dear colleague Shona Tinch, who died far too young, and to launch it with her family before it goes on the run in Moldova."