Welsh fire service supports ninth FIRE AID mission as Ukrainian crews battle war-time emergencies
MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has supported an international aid convoy delivering vital equipment to firefighters in Ukraine, as crews there continue to operate under extreme conditions caused by the ongoing conflict.
The convoy, organised by the volunteer-run charity FIRE AID, took place in early December and marked the ninth mission to deliver emergency support to Ukrainian firefighters since the Russian invasion began in 2022.
FIRE AID, founded in 2012, acts as a central hub for sharing equipment, knowledge and resources to strengthen emergency response services across the world. To date, its convoys to Ukraine have delivered more than 130 fire and rescue vehicles and over 200,000 pieces of essential equipment.
Ukrainian firefighters have been working under constant threat, including drone and missile strikes on emergency infrastructure. Since the start of the invasion, more than 100 firefighters have lost their lives, while the State Emergency Service has suffered the loss of over 1,800 fire and rescue vehicles and the destruction of more than 400 fire stations.
Despite these dangers, Ukrainian crews have rescued more than 5,500 civilians, a level of service described by supporters as an extraordinary demonstration of courage and resilience.
Representing Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) on the convoy was Watch Manager Rob Kershaw, who also serves as the Service’s FIRE AID representative.
“It has been a privilege to represent MAWWFRS during this convoy,” he said. “I’m extremely grateful for the Service’s support, which has enabled us to provide vital assistance to our colleagues working on the frontline in Ukraine.”
During the mission, Mr Kershaw met a Ukrainian firefighting crew who had lost their appliance in a targeted attack just three weeks earlier.
“Their vehicle was a Soviet-era appliance that they had kept operational for many years,” he said. “Receiving a modern replacement was a major and much-needed upgrade. Spending time with the crew and hearing first-hand about the conditions they work under was both humbling and a stark reminder of the daily risks they face.”
MAWWFRS said that all participating fire and rescue services prioritised local operational needs before donating surplus equipment, ensuring community safety at home was not compromised.
As part of its ongoing commitment, FIRE AID has also launched Brave Minds, a new initiative providing 24-hour tailored mental health support to Ukrainian firefighters. The programme aims to address the psychological strain of responding to emergencies in a conflict zone.
The support from Mid and West Wales firefighters forms part of a wider UK effort to assist emergency services in Ukraine, as the war continues to place unprecedented pressure on frontline responders.
