UK Firefighters Donate Truck, Gear to Kosovo

Cornwall firefighters say they felt good about donating the equipment to the Kosovo crew.

Source The Plymouth Herald

Sept. 29, 2012

2 min read

EQUIPMENT donated by Cornwall firefighters has arrived in Kosovo after a six-day journey across Europe.

A 38-tonne articulated lorry full of redundant firefighting equipment given by Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service set off from Liskeard fire station in mid-September on the journey of more than 1,500 miles.

The trip was organised by Rotary International Overseas Project Team District 1290, whose members were joined in loading the lorry by a local firefighter. The cargo - which included breathing apparatus, hoses and uniforms - was met at Kosovo's agency of emergency management by Ismet Ibishi, a deputy minister at the Ministry of the Interior. The equipment will be distributed among the country's 27 fire stations, according to Barry Kressinger, Rotary International co-ordinator.

"The redundant equipment will be of fantastic value to other users in growing countries abroad," Mr Kressinger said.

"The team took three hours to load the vehicle with the help of many Rotarians and a serving fire officer from Liskeard.

"It was a rewarding day and one that has all of us smiling with a terrific sense of achievement, and knowing in the future all this equipment will be in use and saving lives.

"Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service's co-operation has helped us in very many ways as a team to complete our mission to assist others, where we can, that are not as fortunate as us." Cllr Lance Kennedy, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for community safety and public protection, said: "As ever, I am pleased that we are able to help our colleagues in the wider fire service community and that they can benefit from our redundant equipment."