As UK Fire Services continue to send vehicles and equipment as a part of a convoy to support Ukraine firefighters, and following Firefighter Memorial Day, we’re having a look back about how our staff have supported this cause.
On 19 April, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service was part of a second convoy, organised by charity FIREAID with National Fire Chief’s Council (NFCC), where we donated a fire engine and equipment to support firefighters in Ukraine alongside 20 other vehicles making this journey.
On 21 April the convoy successfully made it to Poland to hand over the equipment and vehicles. This second deployment provided life-saving kit and equipment and was larger than the previous one which went out in March.
Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council Mark Hardingham said: “To see another convoy of this size go out is testament to the incredible hard work and determination of everyone who has been involved.
“It really has been a phenomenal effort and to see fire and rescue services, FIREAID, the sector and NFCC work together to achieve so much in such a short period of time is testament to everyone’s commitment and dedication”.
Since the conflict in Ukraine begun, the Service has done a number of things to support the cause. This has included:
- Providing support to local community groups by setting up Goole and Scunthorpe fire stations as donation points for items to be sent to Ukraine refugees in Poland.
- Volunteering time to help the FIRE AID charity by taking the Service donations of thousands of pieces of fire kit (tunics and trousers) and a fire engine to our colleagues in the Ukraine Fire Service.
Chris Blacksell, Humberside Chief Fire Officer said: “I’m enormously proud of staff’s dedication and support, and that we are part of a national effort for the people of Ukraine and their firefighters, and other emergency services who risk their lives to help protect the communities they serve.
The kit and fire engines we’ve donated have reached their end of life in our replacement programme, but are fully serviceable for others to use, especially in the current climate where any resources to support emergency services in the Ukraine are vital. I am so proud that our staff were able to take part in this second convoy.”
We continue to stand side-by-side with the people of Ukraine and our Ukrainian communities across the Humber region.