FIREFIGHTERS from Brierley Hill are among fire service personnel heading off on a mission to provide resources and support to colleagues in Ukraine.

West Midlands Fire Service is donating surplus or no-longer-needed items including tools, hoses, safety equipment, thermal imaging cameras and a decommissioned fire engine as part of the humanitarian response to the war in Ukraine where more than 100 fire stations and 250 fire engines have been destroyed.

The equipment will be delivered as part of a 20-strong convoy due to leave the UK today (Thursday May 5).

Firefighter Zoe Taylor and crew commander Sam Wickett, both from Brierley Hill Fire Station, have volunteered as drivers along with Richard Hawkeswood, who is based in response at West Midlands Fire Service HQ, and colleagues from fire and rescue services across the UK.

While Kinver’s Jim McParland, watch commander at Wednesbury and a member of the UK International Search and Rescue (UKISAR) team, is providing the convoy with logistical support.

WMFS chief fire officer, Phil Loach, said: “The war in Ukraine and resulting humanitarian crisis has affected us all immensely. Our communities and our staff are desperate to support the people whose lives have been changed so suddenly and shockingly.

“We’re sending a range of equipment, which is either surplus or we no longer need. It means we can help our Ukrainian counterparts to protect lives, people and property and continue to provide first-class emergency services to our own communities.

“Their bravery is beyond words, and I am immensely proud of our staff who want to go above and beyond to support them.”

The convoy includes 13 fire engines, two hydraulic rescue platforms, three 4x4 vehicles, an incident response unit and a foam tender.

Two previous convoys saw 40 UK fire and rescue service vehicles sent for use in Ukraine.

Deployment of the firefighting donations is being coordinated by UK charity FIRE AID and the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and the wider fire industry, with funding from the Home Office, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and FIA Foundation.

Anyone wishing to donate money to the FIRE AID public appeal can do so online at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/KeepUkraineFireFightersSafe