Page 12 - October 2022

THE SALAMANDER OCTOBER 2022
Firefighters helping in Ukraine
Convoys were organised by UK charity FIRE AID and International Development, the Natio EASST, and the wider fire industry, and were all supported by the Home Office and othe
Many within the Worshipful Company have been involved in the national programmes to provide firefighting aid to Ukraine over the last 4 months. Peter Mansidroveoneofthefirefighting vehicles to Poland in one of these convoys.
In May a third ‘mega’ convoy, the culmination of a number of weeks of incredible hard work and planning meant an amazing 60 fire vehicles – packed with hoses, helmets, thermal imaging cameras, generators, ladders, rescue equipment and protective equipment all donated by UK fire and rescue services and the wider fire sector was sent to help provide humanitarian aid to that war stricken country and fellow firefighters.
An NFCC press release noted that the convoys were organised by UK charity FIRE AID and International Development, the
National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC),EASST,andthewiderfire industry, and were all supported by the Home Office and other government departments.
The latter convoy was also being joined by a fully kitted out mechanical team – provided by the fire sector - to ensure vital support to ensure safe passage to Poland. The kit was handed over toUkraineviathePolishStateFire Service. The first convoy left in mid-March, the second one set off on April 21st.
These donations of firefighting equipment - which has been requested by Ukraine – should help its fire and rescue service as they continue their life-saving work in the most difficult conditions imaginable. Over one hundred fire stations and two hundred and fifty fire engines have been destroyed in Ukraine with a number of firefighters tragically losing their lives as they battle to protect their
country.
The wider fire sector – including the MSA Safety, Fire Sector Federation (FSF), the Fire and Rescue Suppliers [FIRESA] Council and the Fire Industry Association (FIA) – are key partners in supporting and making the deployment.
Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, Mark Hardingham commented: “Once again we have seen fire and rescue services, FIRE AID and the wider sector work together to make this happen. The situation in Ukraine remains at the forefront of everyone’s mind and to be able to assist is something everyone involved should be incredibly proud of.”
Ian Moore, Chief Executive, Fire Industry Association: “This third convoy has been the culmination of incredible partnership working, with everyone coming together to support this convoy. The wider fire sector is proud to have played
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