North Yorkshire firefighters take appliance to help firefighters in Ukraine

Three firefighters from North Yorkshire along with an appliance from the county have joined the latest convoy to Ukraine.

Leaving UK shores on Tuesday, 2 May, the team of volunteers, will travel to Poland to hand over the appliance to the Polish State Fire Service.

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.

The donated appliance has been replaced by the service and therefore we have the capacity to donate it. It is in good working order and has been serviced and checked before it set off as part of the convoy.

Area Manager Ben Illsley, said: “It is humbling to be supporting the fire and rescue services in Ukraine as they continue their life-saving work in the hardest conditions imaginable.”

“I would like to thank the three firefighters who have volunteered to take our appliance to help those in Ukraine and everyone else who has made this possible.”

Group Manager Andy Creasey who is coordinating the response from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “I was overwhelmed with the response received to the call for volunteers which just goes to shows the level of compassion amongst our workforce.

“I would also like to thank the teams in Transport, Logistics and Response and Resilience for all their support in making this happen at such short notice.”

The convoy will be sharing their journey on social media using the hashtag #FireAid4Ukraine