More than 2,000 items of water rescue equipment has been sent to Ukraine in response to the floods affecting wide areas of Ukraine following the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam. Secured through the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, this vital lifesaving equipment will assist ongoing rescue efforts.
The fire and rescue service donations followed an urgent request from the Home Office to NFCC’s National Resilience team. As lead authority for National Resilience, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) has been instrumental in coordinating the national FRS response.
MFRS assumed the lead authority role for National Resilience on behalf of the Home Office in 2016.
The equipment will be used by the State Emergency Services in Ukraine to assist in the ongoing rescue and aid efforts as they deal with the aftermath of flooding caused by the destruction of the dam and hydroelectric power station on 6th June.
The UK Charity FIRE AID, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) in their national coordination role, and the Fire Industry Association have been at the forefront of managing the national response.
Fire and rescue services responded to the call for assistance by identifying available kit within hours of the Home Office request. The National Resilience team coordinated the movement of kit and equipment to the base of operations where it was prepared for transport to Ukraine by UK International Search and Rescue (UKISAR) with support from FireAID and the Fire Industry Association prior to being dispatched on Tuesday 13th June.
Together key partners have participated in #FireAid4Ukraine, a series of nationally orchestrated convoys which delivered fire and rescue service vehicles, equipment and firefighting kit to Ukrainian firefighters on the frontline.
The deployment consists of more than 2,300 items from 28 fire services, including type B and type C rescue boats, water rescue sleds, water pumps and water rescue personal protective equipment.
Phil Garrigan, NFCC Vice Chair and MFRS Chief Fire Officer said:
“I’m very proud to be able to assist in supporting Ukraine in the aftermath of the recent flooding. The rapid response with partner organisations will make a real difference to people affected in the region. Thanks to everyone who has taken part in making this happen.
“National Resilience and fire and rescue service family have worked tirelessly to ensure the equipment is able to leave the UK quickly; once again we stand in support of our colleagues in Ukraine.”
Serhiy Kruk, Head of the State Emergency Service in Ukraine said:
“We are extremely grateful to our British friends for quickly finding and sending the necessary water rescue equipment to support the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in this time of need. When we are united, we are invincible. And with such friends as the British people and the government - we will definitely win.”