Heroic Ukrainian firefighters who continue to respond to emergencies across the war-torn country have received a haul of life-saving equipment from Tyne and Wear.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) are one of many Brigades across the country to provide support to their counterparts in the country.

Ukrainian firefighters have worked on the front-line since the war with Russia began by extinguishing fires and rescuing casualties from collapsed buildings.

But they have been desperately short of the equipment they need to respond effectively and throughout the war they have received donations from across Europe.

The Fire Authority and staff here in Tyne and Wear contributed a haul of equipment to a UK donation last year that included fire kit and equipment.

And last week they handed over a haul of specialist cutting equipment, used to cut people from cars and other rescues, to the charity FIRE AID.

They have been collating equipment alongside other FRS and the Home Office and helped ensure the equipment got to the frontline over the last week.

TWFRS Chief Fire Officer, Chris Lowther, today (Thursday) said he was proud of everyone at TWFRS and the support of the Fire Authority in continuing to support our colleagues in Ukraine.

He said: “Seeing the conflict still raging on after a year is heart-breaking our thoughts go to the Ukrainian people.

“As a fire and rescue service we play an important role in local communities and supporting the humanitarian response and we will do our bit to provide that to communities and emergency responders in Ukraine.

Councillor Phil Tye, Chair of the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority commented “As Chairperson and on behalf of all Fire Authority members we offer our support and commitment to our colleagues in Ukraine and those suffering as a result of the war.

“We will continue to do our bit to support Firefighters working in Ukraine and our thoughts are with them always.

Find out more about the work that TWFRS are doing to keep people at home and abroad safe by visiting their website.