DETAILS
Firefighter Aid for Ukraine will contact private vendors, businesses, municipalities, and fire departments for donations in the form of:
Unwanted firefighting equipment (bunker/turnout gear, helmets, footwear, etc.)
Hand, power, hydraulic, and pneumatic tools used in life rescue operations
Emergency services specific equipment (radios, electronics, shoring, extrication, scuba, etc.)
Donations in kind (goods and services such as cleaning, packing supplies, cartage and transportation assistance)
Shipping container
Financial donations (to assist with costs of travel, lodging, food, etc.)
Receipts for tax deductions are issued by Amigo Relief Missions Inc.
Information found on firefighteraidukraine.com/donate
When CNN televised a news report of first responders in Ukraine, the American broadcaster inadvertently helped promote a local relief effort.
One of the firefighters was shown wearing a uniform with the word "Edmonton" right across the back.
That one jacket is among the many thousands of individual pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE), life rescue equipment, and medical supplies that have been donated to Firefighter Aid for Ukraine (FAU), an Edmonton-based charity. Started a decade ago by Edmonton firefighter Kevin Royle, it was already well placed to assist first responders in Ukraine after Russia started its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24.
“We ended up being one of the first non-government organizations to successfully send over and deliver aid to Ukraine,” Royle explained.
“We did help in other countries and other organizations and [with] other projects, but we always remained focused on Ukraine. We've shipped over millions of dollars' worth of equipment. We started doing training programs with them. That was all put to a halt because of the war, so then we just shifted focus to getting something there quickly.”
Recently, FAU sent a shipment of 14 tons’ worth of gear and supplies via plane.
The organization has been working in tandem with the other local effort organized by former MLA Thomas Lukaszuk and former premier Ed Stelmach to maximize the value of their forces.
Royle began the project after he went to Ukraine on a Rotary group study exchange. The Northern Alberta District 5370 sent a delegation from Canada, all members of different facets of the emergency services. The experience was an eye-opener to what conditions were like in that country.
When he returned home, his department was swapping out its old firefighter turnout gear for new gear. Even though the outgoing equipment was past its service here, it was still in good shape and would prove to have much use left for first responders in Ukraine. All most of it needed was some cleaning and a bit of refurbishment.
It just started snowballing from there, he said.
The organization’s objective is to collect unneeded or unwanted firefighter bunker/turnout gear, personal protective equipment, life rescue equipment, and medical supplies from fire departments and vendors in Canada. It also fundraises to send those materials to various locations in Ukraine that are in desperate need of equipment and supplies. FAU works with Ukrainian State Emergency Services and some logistics partners Royle has co-ordinated with in the past to make each shipment as smooth and efficient as possible despite the country being under siege.
Members of the public can offer their support through a link on its website (found at firefighteraidukraine.com) as well.
"We get our equipment from businesses, communities, departments, suppliers — all over the place. If someone wants to donate to us, they can get a tax-deductible receipt as well," he said.
The collections continue, though Royle couldn’t say when the next shipment would be sent. It depends on how quickly they can amass enough goods and receive the financial donations to pay for the flight.
“We don't want to send over a quarter-full plane. We are trying to work with all of our people that want to donate to get that expedited, and we're working on fundraising,” he added, noting that there is still a brisk amount of activity in the warehouse where equipment is being received, sorted, and prepared.
“It's not stopping or slowing down, that's for sure.”
A fundraising event is in the works for April and details will be published on its website as soon as plans are confirmed.
