Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service - Experts & Thought Leaders

A convoy of UK fire and rescue services delivering over 15,000 pieces of life-saving firefighting equipment to Ukrainian firefighters is leaving now. 30 fire and rescue vehicles, including 26 fire engines, will also be donated. 18 fire and rescue services from across the UK are participating in the convoy, organized by FIRE AID, National Resilience and International Search and Rescue (based out of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service), HM Government, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and the Fire Industry Association (FIA). Impact on Ukrainian firefighters The convoy, which is the eighth and largest of its kind, is sponsored by the UK government The convoy, which is the eighth and largest of its kind, is sponsored by the UK government. It will add to the 119 fire and rescue vehicles and 200,000 pieces of firefighting equipment that have already been donated since the invasion began. The war in Ukraine has had a devastating impact on Ukrainian firefighters. Latest figures from the State Emergency Services of Ukraine show that since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, 100 firefighters have been killed and a further 431 injured, whilst four are currently in captivity and one is missing. English and Welsh fire and rescue services Meanwhile, 411 firehouses and 1,700 fire vehicles have been destroyed, and 95 firehouses are now in occupied territories. Despite these challenges, Ukrainian firefighters continue to operate in the war zone - not to engage in combat, but to save lives and protect property, often at great personal risk. English and Welsh fire and rescue services have donated all the appliances and kit for the eighth convoy, which ranges from basic firefighting equipment such as hoses, PPE, and road traffic collision equipment. About 100 volunteers, drawn from fire and rescue services and FIRE AID, will participate in the convoy. Firefighters in the war zone About 100 soldiers, drawn from fire and rescue services and FIRE AID, will participate in the convoy The Minister of State for Building Safety and Fire, Alex Norris, said: "The UK remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine. Firefighters are in the war zone, risking their lives to protect communities under the most challenging conditions." "This convoy delivers essential equipment to help them carry out their life-saving work, and we will continue to stand with them for as long as it takes." Latest donation of fire engines and equipment National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Chair, Phil Garrigan, said: “We stand in solidarity with our colleagues in Ukraine, as they continue to operate in extraordinarily difficult and dangerous conditions.” “This latest donation of fire engines and equipment will help replace some of what has been lost in the full-scale war, offering essential support to firefighters who are relentlessly striving to save lives and keep communities safe despite overwhelming challenges. We are deeply proud to contribute in a small but meaningful way to ensuring that our colleagues have the resources they need to carry out their vital work." Life-saving missions First Deputy Head of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, Vitalii Myroniuk, said: “The people and Government of the United Kingdom were among the first to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine at a time when the whole world was uncertain whether we would endure the onslaught." "Your support in the critical early days of Russia's invasion allowed us to replace outdated equipment with modern British technology, enabling us to carry out our life-saving missions more quickly and effectively in wartime conditions." "We are immensely grateful for your solidarity and for understanding the challenges we face and the conditions in which we operate. Every Ukrainian rescuer works tirelessly to safeguard our statehood and our nation. And we are able to endure thanks to our British friends, who share our common values of freedom and the rule of law.” FIREAID and partners support Ukrainian firefighters FIRE AID Chair, David O’Neill MBE, said: "We continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine; our fire family is committed to giving ongoing support and a lifeline in their time of need. This eighth convoy - the largest yet - is absolutely vital as the news about the conflict unfolds and changes daily." "Recently, we welcomed our frontline and political colleagues from Ukraine to the United Kingdom, the unimaginable challenges they face daily is devastating."  "FIREAID and partners continue to work tirelessly to support Ukrainian firefighters. The statistics are staggering; more than 100 firefighters have lost their lives, with hundreds injured. Our work is far from done. We remain committed to Ukraine and will continue to offer our unwavering support and assistance to their firefighters risking their lives daily." Firefighting colleagues in Ukraine Fire Industry Association (FIA) Chief Executive Officer, Ian Moore OBE JP, said: "Firefighters in Ukraine continue to demonstrate extraordinary courage under the most challenging circumstances. Every day, they put their lives on the line to protect their communities, often with limited resources and in the face of immense danger." “The FIA is honored to support this vital initiative, ensuring that life-saving equipment reaches those who need it most. By working alongside our partners in the UK fire sector, we are not only providing essential tools but also reinforcing a message of solidarity. Our commitment to supporting our firefighting colleagues in Ukraine remains steadfast."

The Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), Mark Hardingham, will be standing down in March 2025 when his four-year term of office comes to an end. NFCC recently held an election for a new Chair, with all serving UK Chief Fire Officers and those who had served as a Chief Fire Officer within the last two years eligible to stand. NFCC individual members Three very capable candidates put themselves forward, with the voting taking place across all NFCC individual members during September. The outcome of the election was confirmed by the NFCC Board of Trustees at their meeting on Friday 4 October. They can now confirm that Phil Garrigan, the current Chief Fire Officer of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, received the most votes. He will take over from Mark Hardingham in April 2025.

Ten people from across the fire sector have been named in the New Year Honors 2022 lists, in recognition of their services. The honors system recognizes extraordinary people, who in accordance with the list's criteria, ‘made achievements in public life and committed themselves to serving and helping the UK.’ Ongoing impactful work The FPA would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and congratulations to everyone named in the New Year Honours list for 2022, for their ongoing impactful work in the fire sector. Receiving the British Empire Medal (BEM): Rabinder Singh Dhami, Prevention Manager, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, for services to fire and rescue. Alan Gibson, Fundraiser, Fire Fighters Charity, for services to charity and to the community in County Durham. Rebecca Jayne Jefferies, Head, Human Resources and Learning and Development, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, for services to fire and rescue. Lindsay Sielski, Crew Manager, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, for services to fire and rescue. John Craig Wall, Group Manager, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, for charitable services in Cumbria. Queen's Fire Service Medal Receiving the Queen's Fire Service Medal (QFSM): John Andrew Buckley, Chief Fire Officer, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, for distinguished service. Jennifer Elizabeth Griffiths, lately, Group Manager, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, for distinguished service. Sally Angeline Hammond, Group Manager, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, for distinguished service. Justin Johnston, Chief Fire Officer, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, for distinguished service. Nicholas Searle, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, for distinguished service.