FIRE SERVICE DONATES TWO ENGINES TO UKRAINE
A convoy of fire engines is set to travel 2,000 miles (3,219km) to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.
Two fire engines from Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) will be joining the convoy of 32 vehicles as it travels across Europe.
It is the third time the fire service has donated equipment to firefighters working during the war.
Joe Hunter, from NFRS, said supporting colleagues in Ukraine working in "distressing situations" remained important.
NFRS recently received two new fire engines, which allowed them to donate their "out of service" engines to Ukraine.
Since the start of the conflict in Ukraine, 84 firefighters have been killed, 310 injured and five are in captivity, according to the fire service.
This is the third time the fire service has volunteered its support to Ukraine after being involved in two previous convoys in 2022.
Martin Kammeier was convoy lead on the last trip.
"It was a real privilege to be involved in taking humanitarian aid over to a sister firefighting family in Ukraine," he said.
"We had been informed quite recently prior to that of the losses they had suffered, particularly the fire service, and it was great to be a part of taking them some support."
The latest convoy will be the biggest so far from UK fire and rescue services.
About 2,800 pieces of equipment will be delivered, including ladders, personal protection equipment and boats.
Mr Hunter said: "The war in Ukraine has had an impact on us all and we have got colleagues in Ukraine who are responding to really difficult and distressing situations in a war zone.
"To be able to go and donate fire appliances, which we know were used in the war zone, was really good.
"It felt very important at the time and it remains very important to do that."
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