A Welsh fire service has donated four appliances to crews in Ukraine in a move to show solidarity with their colleagues abroad. The first two, a fire engine and an incident response unit, have arrived in Poland where they will be moved into Ukraine. The UK-wide convoy has been organised by the National Fire Chiefs Council and the Fire Aid Charity. Another fire appliance and incident response unit will also be leaving Wales for Ukraine on May 3.
The equipment will be used to support firefighters, emergency services, and volunteers who are battling together on the frontline, often using old or worn equipment. Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service watch manager Chris Doyle travelled with the vehicles and has shared pictures of his trip. "Everyone is aware of the tragic events that are happening in Ukraine at the moment and this as small way that we can help our friend and counterparts in Ukraine. Our mission is to join up with a wider convoy, that has been organised by Fire Aid and the National Fire Chiefs Council, before setting off across the continent to deliver these appliances in Poland," he said.
Group manager Ashley Hopkins added: "It is heart-wrenching to see and hear of the suffering that the people and communities of Ukraine are enduring. When we sought applications of interest for volunteers from our workforce to deliver these four appliances to Poland we were inundated by requests to volunteer. I hope that the delivery of these two fire appliances and two incident response units will aid the Ukrainian fire services during this terrible time."
The groups have already organised for thousands of pieces of equipment and PPE to be sent to colleagues in Ukraine and a fundraising appeal raised more than its £15,000 target. "During the chaos of conflict, you will always find firefighters who stay within the warzone not to engage in battle but to protect lives and property. Firefighters in Ukraine are currently on the frontline of this crisis trying to protect their communities in the most difficult of situations. However they are in desperate need of equipment to better protect themselves and their communities," the page reads.
