Three Cumbrian firefighters have set off on a seven-day journey to Poland to transport an engine to help their Ukrainian counterparts.
Firefighters Dan Shepherd, Sean Hevey and Peter Stephenson left Kendal Fire Station this morning and will drive to Manchester where they will meet other colleagues before travelling to Kent.
From Kent a large convoy made up of vehicles that will be donated by fire services across the country will then make their way to Poland, close to the Ukrainian border, where Polish fire and rescue service personnel will transport them to firefighters in Ukraine.
“I am incredibly proud but not really surprised,” said John Beard, Chief Fire Officer of Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, describing what he has made of the reaction of firefighters to the conflict up and down the country.
“We are very very good at stepping up when we need to for our fire colleagues, no matter where they are in the world. I have seen staff do this time and time again.”
The national initiative is a collaboration between the Home Office and the National Fire Chiefs Council, who put their call out to all fire services to do their bit to help colleagues in Ukraine.
Having just invested in six new fire engines, they had one which they were planning to decommission. Realising that the vehicle could be put to better use in the hands of Ukrainians, Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service set about reequipping the engine for reuse.
“The Ukrainians have lost some vehicles directly as a result of the fighting and have also lost some indirectly in terms of not being able to repair them and availability of equipment,” said Mr Beard.
“We wanted to do something to help a little bit.”
The losses felt by firefighters in Ukraine have been felt by crews across the world.
“We have heard about quite a lot of firefighters who have lost their lives directly in the conflict and trying to deal with fires. The latest figure I have – which is now a few weeks old – is 24 firefighters have died,” said Mr Beard.
“It has been horrendous for firefighters.”
It is estimated that in the region of 30 fire vehicles from across the UK will make the trip to Poland.
“It is just incredible to be able to support colleagues dealing with unimaginable circumstances in Ukraine and I am really proud of the staff who stepped up to make the journey,” said Mr Beard.
“We have also raised over £12,000 for refugees, which is amazing. I am incredibly proud of what they (Cumbria firefighters) have done over the last few weeks.”
When Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service first asked for volunteers to drive to Ukraine there were 20 staff members who put their names forward.
“The three who are going consider themselves the lucky ones,” added Mr Beard.
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