Published 3 July 2026

UK fire and rescue services mark successful delivery of life-saving support to Ukraine

  • Convoy of UK fire and rescue services sends life-saving support to Ukraine.
  • This is the ninth convoy of vital firefighting equipment to Ukraine, four years on from the full-scale invasion.
  • 21 fire vehicles and more than 2,300 pieces of equipment will be delivered as part of this latest package of support, helping replace critical resources lost during the war.
  • The latest convoy brings the total UK contribution to 169 vehicles and more than 220,000 pieces of equipment.
  • Ukrainian firefighters continue to operate under extreme conditions, with 481 fire stations destroyed and 122 firefighters killed since 2022.

UK fire and rescue services have today marked the successful delivery of a ninth convoy of life‑saving firefighting equipment to Ukraine.

The convoy, which departed the UK on Monday 29 June, reached the Polish border with Ukraine on Thursday 2 July, with vehicles and equipment being transferred to Ukrainian partners as part of a coordinated handover process.

Sponsored by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and FIRE AID, the convoy was delivered through a coordinated national partnership involving National Resilience, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), UK International Search and Rescue (UK ISAR), and fire and rescue services from across England and Wales.

This latest convoy delivers 21 fire vehicles, including 17 fire engines, and more than 2,300 pieces of essential firefighting equipment, helping to replace critical resources lost during the war. It brings the total UK contribution since 2022 to 169 vehicles and more than 220,000 pieces of equipment.

Previous donations from UK fire and rescue services are already having a significant impact on the ground, with vehicles provided through earlier convoys responding to more than 6,000 incidents, and over 2,500 Ukrainian firefighters equipped with fully operational PPE and breathing apparatus.

Ukrainian fire and rescue services continue to face immense challenges. According to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, 481 fire stations have been destroyed, with a further 106 located in occupied territories, and 1,792 fire vehicles lost. Since the full‑scale invasion began, 122 firefighters have been killed and 629 injured, with three still in captivity.*

Despite these losses, Ukrainian firefighters continue to operate on the frontline – saving lives, protecting infrastructure and responding to emergencies under constant threat.

The convoy was made up of approximately 80 volunteers from across the UK fire and rescue community giving their time to prepare, drive and deliver the appliances and equipment.

Participating fire and rescue services include Derbyshire, Essex, Hampshire, Hereford and Worcester, Kent, Lancashire, London, Merseyside, Mid and West Wales, North Wales, North Yorkshire, South Wales, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Surrey, West Midlands and West Yorkshire.

National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Chair, Phil Garrigan, said:

“The UK fire and rescue community remains unwavering in its support for colleagues in Ukraine. Four years on from the start of the full-scale invasion, Ukrainian firefighters continue to operate in the most challenging and dangerous conditions imaginable.

“This ninth convoy demonstrates the enduring commitment of UK fire and rescue services to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Ukrainian counterparts. The equipment being donated will help replace vital resources lost during the conflict and ensure firefighters can continue their life-saving work.

“This is about firefighters supporting firefighters. It is a powerful example of the friendship that transcends borders.

“It is crucial we recognise the challenges our colleagues face and that we continue to play our part.”

FIRE AID Ukraine Lead, Oksana Romanukha, said:

“We are once again seeing the extraordinary solidarity of communities right across the UK with Ukraine.

“These vehicles and equipment are lifelines, helping to save lives, protect firefighters and strengthen the resilience of communities under constant threat.

“We are deeply grateful to everyone across the fire and rescue community, and all those involved, who have made this collective effort possible.”

 

Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Democracy, Samantha Dixon, said:

“Ukraine has faced unimaginable suffering, and we remain unwavering in our support.

“This convoy will deliver the critical equipment needed to help Ukraine’s fire service save lives, respond to attacks, and protect their communities.

“I’m proud of the brave volunteers from across our fire and rescue service, as well as all the organisations which have played a role in mobilising these vital assets – making sure support reaches those who need it most.”

END

Notes to editors

  • * Figures correct as of 22 June 2026.
  • Image 1 shows some of the fire engines making up the convoy; image 2 shows the convoy in transit through Europe; and image 3 shows convoy volunteers.
  • The convoy has been organised through a partnership of 17 fire and rescue services from England and Wales, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), FIRE AID, National Resilience, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), and UK International Search and Rescue (UK ISAR).
  • Approximately 80 volunteers from fire and rescue services and FIRE AID are taking part in the convoy.
  • 17 fire and rescue services from England and Wales are participating in the convoy, these are:

The following services have donated equipment and/or fire engines:

    • Derbyshire
    • Essex
    • Hampshire
    • Hereford and Worcester
    • Lancashire
    • Merseyside
    • Mid and West Wales
    • North Yorkshire
    • South Wales
    • South Yorkshire
    • Staffordshire
    • Surrey
    • West Midlands
    • West Yorkshire

The following services are providing support to the convoy (for example, through the provision of volunteers):

    • Kent
    • North Wales
    • London
  • 21 vehicles are being donated – including 17 fire engines, three vans and a prime mover – alongside 2,355 pieces of equipment. This equipment includes hoses, ladders, road traffic collision equipment, airbags, generators, hydraulic cutting equipment and PPE.  These are surplus equipment. Fire and rescue services have accounted for their own local needs and prioritised local safety before making these donations.
  • The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is a charity and an independent membership association and the professional voice of the UK Fire and Rescue Service. NFCC supports fire and rescue services to help them to save lives and keep their local communities safe.
  • National Resilience is responsible for the mobilisation, coordination and monitoring of National Resilience (NR) assets in response to significant, serious or catastrophic incidents. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service assumed the lead authority role for National Resilience on behalf of the Home Office in 2016.
  • FIRE AID is an umbrella organisation of fire and rescue NGOs carrying out humanitarian projects in low and middle-income countries. Its members deliver ethical and sustainable donations of decommissioned but usable fire and rescue equipment such as fire appliances, vehicles, rescue boats and kit, which may have otherwise been scrapped. This includes 11 fire engines and other equipment donated to fire services in Ukraine pre the Russian full-scale invasion.
  • UK ISAR is part of the NFCC Emergency International Overseas Response MOU with the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and Home Office.  UK ISAR is funded through the FCDO emergency deployable team (EDT2) program for sudden onset disasters.