The Brandon Fire and Emergency Services has joined the effort to donate gently used firefighting gear and equipment to Ukraine. 
 
Manitoba Association of Fire Chiefs (MAFC) sent out an email to all departments across the province asking for donations of used gear and anything else that could be used to support Ukraine. The initial push for the collection of the equipment came from Help Ukraine Morden - Pembina Valley which is led by Morden's Yevgeniya Tatarenko. The organization is providing all the necessary logistical and organizational support to collect the equipment, so it can be sent to Ukraine. It is also raising money to pay for the transportation of the equipment overseas.

Deputy Fire Chief for the Brandon Dept, Terry Parlow, says they’ve seen fire departments across Canada donate firefighting gear and search and rescue gear. “We were able to donate 22 firefighting helmets at this time, but there is other equipment that we’re looking at donating as well.”  

He adds that whether new, or used, the firefighting equipment must meet a high safety standard and ensures that all gear or equipment donated will meet that high standard for the Ukrainian firefighters. 

“Obviously firefighting is a dangerous job at the best of times. Unfortunately, what we’re seeing in the daily news, it’s impossible to imagine the daily challenges that they’re facing right now.”  

Parlow notes the donated 22 helmets are in very good condition. “We were in a situation where we were replacing many of our helmets over the past couple of years, all to a specific style, so this was a great opportunity to donate these helmets to Ukraine at this time. As we go forward, we are looking at donating some of our turn-out gear to Ukraine as well.”  

He shares that there is a strong bond with the firefighters in Ukraine, not only because they share the same profession, but because their own emergency team members either come from Ukraine or have friends and family living in Ukraine. 

“It’s important to note that the individuals who are requesting this help and the volunteers who have reached out and asked for this equipment are all volunteers based on that their families are still in Ukraine, and they have those connections,” shares Parlow.  

“They’re looking for ways to help their families,” he adds. “A very important part of this is how, from across the world, we’re able to help them meet the need. But it’s the people that come from these communities who are talking to their loved ones back in Ukraine, and doing the work here to collect these items.” 

“Seeing those firefighters working in the conditions that they’re working in is quite extraordinary,” shares Parlow. “Our hearts go out to them, and our thoughts and prayers go out to everybody.”  

Fire departments across the province including Winkler, Altona, Morden, Steinbach, Darlingford, Miami and Dauphin have donated equipment to the cause. Help Ukraine Morden - Pembina Valley is looking for people travelling to Poland, Germany, Romania, or Moldova who could take donations with them when they go. You can learn more, and also find out how to make monetary donations by visiting the group's Facebook page.