FIREFIGHTERS have returned from delivering a fire engine to support the ongoing war in Ukraine.
A team from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service returned from Poland this week, after donating a fire engine to Ukrainian firefighters.
This follows a continuing request from the Home Office and National Fire Chiefs Council for UK Fire Services to donate any equipment and vehicles due to be replaced, decommissioned or disposed of, to help Ukrainian firefighters deal with the impacts of the Russian invasion of their country.
This is the third fire engine that has been donated by Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and was accompanied by a range of useful supplements.
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Sam Pink, area commander and the service’s assistant director for assets said: “The Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority continually invests in new fire engines for the Service, which this year has resulted in three older fire engines being available for donation to this worthy cause.”
The volunteers to make the trip were watch commanders Dave Vickress and Catherine Chesworth, and Crew Commander Nick Baker, from Leintwardine, Ewyas Harold and Eardisley stations respectively.
Dave Vickress said: “It was a privilege to be chosen to represent the Service and an amazing week – along the way, cars and lorries were hooting their horns in support, and waving at the convoy.
"Arriving at our final destination, we were welcomed and hosted by German and Polish firefighters, with a special welcome in Erfurt in Germany from the Mayor.”
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Catherine Chesworth said: “It was a journey of emotional ups and downs and I felt very honoured to be part of the crew. A refugee we met stressed the number of lives each fire engine would save and the hope it gives them.”
Nick Baker said: “All the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure all of the appliances and kit arrive ready for action need a special mention.
"The pride I felt when handing over the appliance representing both HWFRS, and my station Eardisley, was immense”.
This was the fourth convoy to Poland and the Service’s third donation of an appliance.
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