Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service has donated a range of old equipment, fire kit and a redundant fire engine to their counterparts in Kathmandu City, Nepal.

Staff at the Service have also been involved in a range of fundraising activities to pay for the cost of shipping the appliance and equipment to the impoverished fire service in the city.

The equipment included breathing apparatus sets and compressors, hydraulic rescue equipment, portable pumps and a range of other items.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service's Chief Fire Officer Iain Bathgate said: "The firefighters in Kathmandu are a wonderful group of people facing incredible challenges, which they do with such stoicism and good humour that it is humbling to witness. Although the fire engine and equipment we are donating are no longer fit for purpose for our Service, they are still better than the resources they have to work with.

"As usual, our staff have been fantastic and have thrown themselves into raising the money for this most worthy venture with typical dedication and enthusiasm. I'm sure that when they receive the fire engine and equipment, the fire service in Kathmandu will be eternally grateful, as I am, for the generosity of our people and everyone who has helped through sponsorship and donations."

A number of companies and organisations have also helped with the cause by providing sponsorship or donations with particular mention for PBI Products, the British Automatic Sprinkler Association, Kidde Safety Europe and 3TC. Their valuable contributions, along with gifts from all of the other organisations and individuals have made it possible for the Service to ship this valuable equipment out to the firefighters of Kathmandu and for that Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service's Chief Fire Officer is extremely grateful.

 

Photo: Chief Fire Officer Iain Bathgate, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, with some of the equipment donated to the fire service in Kathmandu City, Nepal

 

Posted February 24tht, 2012 at 1005 by Andrew. Comment by emailing: andrew.lynch@pavpub.com