Nine personnel from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service recently volunteered their time to deliver three fire engines and equipment as part of the largest ever UK Fire and Rescue Service convoy.

On Tuesday, April 23, a convoy of life saving fire and rescue service equipment and vehicles, coordinated by Fire Aid, began its journey to Ukraine to deliver this vital equipment to Ukrainian Firefighters.

The scale of the convoy was unprecedented, which comprised of 33 fire and rescue vehicles, two mechanics vehicles and more than 2,800 pieces of equipment that was donated by UK Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) and supported by the Home Office.

Working with Fire Aid, Welsh and English FRSs have donated all the appliances, kit and equipment, which includes ladders, breathing apparatus sets, boats, fire and water personal protective equipment and safe working at height kit. 100 volunteers, drawn from FRSs and Fire Aid, participated in the convoy.

Nine personnel from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) volunteered their time to deliver three fire engines on behalf of the Service. 

The convoy was organised through a partnership of 15 of the UK’s FRSs, which includes all three of the Welsh FRSs, as well as the National Fire Chiefs Council, National Resilience, Home Office, Fire Aid, and the Fire Industry Association. 

MAWWFRS Deputy Chief Fire Officer Iwan Cray said:

“The events unfolding in Ukraine have provoked a strong sense of unity within FRS families across the world and MAWWFRS is pleased to be able to provide three fire engines that have reached the end of their serviceable lives with us. 

“These vehicles, along with the other vehicles in the convoy, will undoubtedly support stations across Ukraine who have lost their equipment and enable them to continue to support their communities.”

War in Ukraine

On February 24, 2022, the Russian Federation launched an illegal invasion of Ukraine, dramatically escalating more than eight years of conflict to a full-scale war.

Ukrainian fire and rescue services have been decimated by the impact of the war and the demands placed upon them have skyrocketed.  To date, 396 firehouses have been destroyed, with 92 more now in occupied territory.  1,676 fire vehicles have been destroyed, 91 firefighters have been killed, with a further 349 injured, and five are held in captivity.

Meanwhile, the work of Ukrainian firefighters has grown significantly since the start of the war, with approximately 217,000 buildings destroyed or damaged, 18,270 fires eliminated and 4,975 people rescued.