WATER rescue equipment has been sent from Berkshire to southern Ukraine in a bid to help people affected by the destruction of a major dam.
Residents been engulfed by floods after retreating Russian forces blew up the Kakhovka dam.
To help them, members of Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) donated a range of water rescue equipment as part of a national effort coordinated the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC).
More than 2,000 items were sent out from 28 fire and rescue centres and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on Tuesday, June 13.
Among the kit given by RBFRS were: 18 drysuits, nine personal floatation devices, 22 lifejackets, 14 pairs of water rescue boots, nine thermal under suits, and one reach rescue pole.
The items were prepared for transport to Ukraine by UK International Search and Rescue (UKISAR) with support from FireAID and the Fire Industry Association.
Rob Read, RBFRS’s group manager for fleet and equipment, said: “We were all shocked by reports of the devastation caused following the breach of the Kakhovka Dam, so when the request came in from the NFCC, we were keen to help.
“All of the equipment we have donated is serviceable, but has either reached the end of its specified life or is no longer required for use in RBFRS, so we hope that it will help with the relief effort.”
