Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) has donated a range of water rescue equipment to support those engulfed by floods in southern Ukraine after a major dam was destroyed.
The donation of this equipment is part of a national effort, which has been coordinated the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) following an urgent request to NFCC National Resilience from the Home Office. It was prepared for transport to Ukraine by UK International Search and Rescue (UKISAR) with support from FireAID and the Fire Industry Association and dispatched on Tuesday, 13 June.
More than 2,000 items of lifesaving water rescue equipment from across 28 fire and rescue services and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency were donated to help those in need.
A range of water rescue equipment has been donated by RBFRS, including:
- 18 drysuits
- 9 personal floatation devices
- 22 lifejackets
- 14 pairs of water rescue boots
- 9 thermal under suits
- 1 reach rescue pole
Rob Read, Group Manager for Fleet and Equipment said: “We were all shocked by reports of the devastation caused following the breach of the Kakhovka Dam, so when the request came in from the NFCC, we were keen to help.
“All of the equipment we have donated is serviceable, but has either reached the end of its specified life or is no longer required for use in RBFRS, so we hope that it will help with the relief effort.”
For further information, please visit the NFCC website.