Fire crews hand equipment to Kosovo
1:00pm Saturday 29th September 2012 in News
Fire crews hand equipment to Kosovo
Former firefighting equipment donated by Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service has arrived in Kosovo following a six day journey across Europe by Rotary International.
Organised by Rotary International Overseas Project Team District 1290 (OPT), the 38 tonne articulated lorry full of equipment set off from Liskeard Fire Station in mid September having been carefully loaded by members of the OPT team and a local firefighter.
On arrival at Kosovo’s Agency of Emergency Management the cargo, which included breathing apparatus sets, firefighting hoses and uniforms, was greeted by Ismet Ibishi, Deputy Minister of the Kosovo Ministry of the Interior.
The equipment will now be distributed among the country’s 27 fire stations, said Barry Kressinger, Rotary International OPT coordinator.
“The redundant equipment will be of fantastic value to other users in growing countries abroad,” said Barry. “The team took three hours to load the vehicle with the help of many Rotarians and a serving fire officer from Liskeard.
“It was an extremely 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 within weeks and will be saving lives in the future.
“On behalf of Rotary International OPT, I would once again like to recognise the constant joint working together of Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service.
“Their cooperation 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.”
Councillor Lance Kennedy, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for community safety and public protection, added; “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.
“While we are able to invest in new technologies and updated equipment, this is not the same experience for many countries where fire and rescue services are developing.”
