The third convoy of UK fire service kit and equipment is now on its way, providing vital life-saving equipment to firefighters in Ukraine.

These monumental ‘mega’ convoys are the culmination of a number of weeks of incredible hard work and planning to ensure support is being given by the UK.

This means an amazing 60 fire vehicles – packed with hoses, helmets, thermal imaging cameras, generators, ladders, rescue equipment and protective equipment and other kit requested by Ukraine – have now been donated by UK fire and rescue services and the wider fire sector.

Organised by UK charity FIRE AID and International Development, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), EASST, and the wider fire industry, the convoys have also been supported by the Home Office and other government departments.

As well as kit and equipment being donated by fire and rescue services, the convoy has been joined by a fully kitted out mechanical team – provided by the fire sector – to ensure vital support to ensure its safe passage to Poland.

22 vehicles have left UK shores today and are on their way to Poland, where the kit will be handed over to Ukraine via the Polish State Fire Service.

The first convoy left in mid-March, the second one set off on April 21st and the third convoy has now left.

These donations of firefighting equipment – which has been requested by Ukraine – will 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 deployment of these donations is being supported by funding from the Home Office, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and the FIA Foundation.

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 its part in supporting this – a truly collaborative humanitarian response from the UK to assist those who need our help the most.”

Claire Hoyland, FIRE AID Project Manager said: “When we started collecting equipment six weeks ago, I could never have imagined the scale of the response. Everybody wanted to help. The deployment of 60 vehicles has been an incredible achievement by all involved but I must acknowledge our FIRE AID members EASST and Kent Fire and Rescue who have been working in Ukraine now for 10 years. The relationships that we have built up with in this time have been critical to the successful deployment of these convoys. For us, this is about more than just helping firefighters in a time of desperate need. It is also about helping friends and colleagues who have found themselves on the frontline of a war.”

Lord Greenhalgh, Fire Minister, said: “I am proud to see a further convoy of fire service kit on its way to Ukraine to provide vital support to the Ukrainian firefighters for the third time in less than two months. It is truly a great demonstration of hard work by civil servants, the UK’s fire and rescue services, the NFCC and FIREAID.”