A fire appliance from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service set off for eastern Europe in the early hours of this morning (Tuesday 3^rd May) to support firefighters working on the frontline in the Ukraine.

The fire appliance is being donated to Ukrainian firefighters after a call to support the war effort came from the Home Office and the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC). A team of three firefighters from the Service have set off on their six-day journey from Rhyl today and will reach their destination in Poland next Monday.

The fire appliance is also carrying equipment that will be used to support firefighters, emergency services and volunteers who are battling together on the front line.

Stuart Millington, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, said: “We are pleased to be able to offer this fire appliance to support firefighters in the Ukraine. Many fire stations and fire appliances have already been destroyed in the war.  This vehicle was about to be replaced here in North Wales, and we are pleased to be able to support in this way and donate a fully functional fire appliance to the firefighters of Ukraine.”

“Our staff will join a convoy of vehicles from other fire and rescue services from across the UK to support this worthwhile effort that is coordinated by the Fire Aid charity and the NFCC. This vehicle was no longer in operational use and we were pleased to be able to deliver it to the firefighters of Ukraine.”

“I am immensely proud of and would like to thank our staff who are working hard behind the scenes to prepare the vehicle and equipment for departure, but also of the crew who will be driving through Europe to Poland to deliver the vehicle.  I look forwards to hearing regular updates from their journey.”

Their journey will be documented on the social media pages of North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.