The fire engine was sent by the Kent With Ukraine group
A Kent humanitarian aid organisation has sent a fully-equipped fire engine to Ukraine. The appliance is now in active service in Semenivka city in the north of the war-ravaged country close to the Russian border.
Located in the Chernihiv region, it has been under constant bombardment from Putin’s forces since the war began nearly four years ago. The fire engine was sent by members of the Kent With Ukraine (KWU) group, one of whom is former Gravesend county councillor Jordan Meade.
Cllr Meade, who is also a borough member, has made numerous expeditions to the country to deliver aid and supplies. The news comes as US President Donald Trump and Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky were seeking to make a breakthrough in peace talks in Florida.
A group of volunteer fire-fighters drove the truck across Europe to its new home. Cllr Meade, a founding member of KWU, said: “We are proud to have worked in partnership with Fire Aid UK to secure and deliver a fire engine for the community of Semenivka.
“Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, this border district has been struck repeatedly, and emergency services have operated under constant threat and immense pressure. We hope that this fire engine will make a tangible difference on the ground in Semenivka, strengthening local resilience and helping to protect lives at this incredibly difficult juncture for Ukraine.
“In the new year we look forward to strengthening our support for the brave emergency workers and volunteers across the Chernihiv region.” Cllr Meade expressed his “sincere thanks” to the donors and the volunteers from the Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) who transported the vehicle to its destination.
Claire Hoyland, head of development and partnerships at Fire Aid, said: “The need for fire and rescue equipment in Ukraine remains acute. We are extremely grateful to Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service for donating both the fire appliance and the essential onboard equipment, which is already in active service supporting front line responders in the region.”
Semenivka’s Mayor, Serhiy Dedenko, welcomed the arrival of the vehicle, said: “The issue of civil protection of community residents is currently one of the priorities in our work. We thank European partners for their assistance and the leadership of the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration for their assistance in the implementation of this project.”
Semenivka lies directly on Ukraine’s northern border and remains one of the districts most consistently attacked by Russian artillery, missile strikes, and drones. In recent months, Gravesend-based KWU, has coordinated the delivery of medical aid, created school partnership programmes, library and cultural projects and enabled specialist equipment deliveries to communities affected by war.
KWU is preparing further emergency aid missions early next year.
