Ukraine
December 2024
The journey was not without its difficulties, but the challenges we faced were no match for the incredible support of our community and partners. Your determination to help transformed a challenging mission into a meaningful success.Thanks to this incredible collaboration, SERA delivered 3 fully equipped fire engines and 15 tons of firefighting equipment to the frontline regions of Kherson and Sumy - areas that continue to face relentless attacks.We want to extend our deepest gratitude to Blythswood Care, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, LUSH UK, Pick-Ups for PEACE, and Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service for their extraordinary efforts and unwavering support. A special thanks goes to our new partner Благодійна організація „ЦВЗ“, whose support has been invaluable throughout this mission. We deeply appreciate your generosity and dedication, and we look forward to continuing this vital work togetherTo those who walked this path with us in any way - we are deeply humbled by the compassion, determination, and solidarity shown by so many of you - your actions have turned challenges into victories and despair into hope.On our 9th day from entering the Polish border, we officially left Poland in the small hours of Sunday the 15th December into Ukraine. Once past UA customs which took a very short time, we drove to our destination of Lviv and arrived at 0830hrs to the waiting firefighters to whom the fire engines would ultimately belong to.We didn’t even switch the engine off on one of the vehicles before it began its journey to its new operational home 900km away from Lviv. The firefighters were quite emotional - if I can share with you part of a message we received.*I’m deeply impressed not only by the support you provided but by the realization that it is possible to overcome the system like this. Eight days to change a regulation and release the vehicles - that is something unreal, I thought it was unreal. I was really worried for you, but I could not have imagined this could happen. I simply can't believe what happened. Usually, it’s big cities that receive such help, not communities and fire safety brigades like ours. You need to know that for us, this is more than a fire engine and equipment support. Believe me, what I’m feeling inside right now is indescribable. I’ve been trying to write a thank-you message, but I keep typing and deleting - it’s happened several times already because I have so many thoughts.**The thing is above all this shows us that we are supported, that we are not alone. This gives us hope, the desire to live, and the will to continue our work and our fight. At the forum, those guys from other communities asked me how I managed to get help from you. They couldn’t believe that no higher-ups negotiated this for us and that I didn’t pay anyone anything all I did is I sent you that message asking for help.*This message for us is why we do what do. Not for accolade, reward or recognition rather someone asked us for help and we had the means to provide that life changing help.Many of you will never have heard of SERA before this trip, we are happy to go under the radar and just get on with what we can rather than attend award ceremonies or pat ourselves on the back on social media.I love the quote from Desmond Tutu “Do your little bit of good where you are, its those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world”.For many of you reading about this project, the success has only come due to your action, raising your voice to the injustice that we endured and we want to wholeheartedly thank you for your little bit of good which overwhelmed the world.Whether supporting folks in war torn Ukraine or spending time with a lonely person in your street, if we all do what we can, when we can – the world will be a better place – even if it's only for a little while.
Ukraine
November 2023
This venture proved to be a test of resilience and determination, with obstacles encountered at the Polish border crossing en route to Ukraine, where our team dealt with issues and problems with customs procedures and border control.After spending 32 hours there, our resilient volunteers finally reached their destination at midnight but didn't leave the station until the lorry was unloaded, and Ukrainian firefighters received their equipment. The team had only a few hours to rest before hitting the road back home.It was undoubtedly a tough experience, but with one common word firmly in mind — dedication — our team once again proved that nothing is impossible.In the face of these challenges, the collective effort of our volunteers, partners, and your unwavering support allowed SERA to deliver 4 fully equipped fire engines, 1 bus, and nearly 8 tons of firefighter equipment. These assets will be strategically placed in regions continually targeted—Kherson, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Kremenchuk.We remember the names of those that stood with us and have already forgotten the faces of those who stood against us.Our heartfelt gratitude extends to Blythswood Care, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and LUSH UK for their invaluable contribution and unwavering support.We are profoundly grateful to our new partner, Pick-Ups for PEACE for generously providing two pickups. These vehicles are invaluable for firefighters, significantly improving the efficiency and ease of their vital work. We truly appreciate your kindness and valuable contribution.
Ukraine
June 2023
SERA team successfully completed their mission to Ukraine, which they started on June 1st.It was a long journey filled with new challenges, new meetings, and emotions but the same strong team spirit.It wasn’t easy but thanks to the huge amount of work that has been done by our volunteers, partners, and constant support from each of you, SERA was able to deliver 4 fully equipped fire engines, 1 turntable ladder and 2 pick-up trucks to Ukraine. These vehicles are now located in the regions closest to the front line, especially those who need our help the most (Dnipro, Kharkiv, Poltava).We want to thank European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Blythswood Care and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for their priceless contribution and support.
Ukraine
November 2021
This year was not without its challenges. The plan was to take 5 fully equipped fire engines and a lorry full of PPE to Moldova in September. The team was working hard on loading, repairing, gathering equipment and documents, but the more we advanced the more roadblocks came in. We postponed the Moldova trip but continued working for the Ukraine trip.On the 12th of November SERA team left driving at the wheel of 6 appliances and with a lorry full of 2000 sets of firefighter PPE; helmets, boots, tunics, leggings etc to head to Poltava, Ukraine. The convoy of aid embarked on a 3500 mile round trip across mainland Europe to Ukraine. It took a cumulative effort of several SERA partners, Blythswood Care, FireAid and our good friends in the Polish Fire Service for making this happen.
Ukraine
November 2020
After months of hard work the Scottish Emergency Rescue Association, SERA, has left for the Ukraine. The vehicle is loaded with PPE, Fire Kit, Boots helmets, gloves and flashoods. Because of restrictions only 1 driver is going ,Gary Bennett. First stop Hull for the ferry to Holland then a drive to Poland where the vehicle will be handed over to Polish firefighters who in turn will take it on to Ukraine. Thanks to everyone who helped make this possible
Moldova
September 2019
The week was full of challenges but also plenty of meaningful moments. Our team succesfully trained 40 local firefigthers, some of which got to put on a full firefighting suit and BA set for the first time. Four fully kitted appliances were succesfully delivered and donated to several regions of Moldova and a couple of the previously given appliances were serviced and put back on the road. 8 of the firefighters were given paramedic training in preparation for a SMURD unit opening in Ungheni and new connections were made with the local AE responders. We don’t have enough words to thank everyone who got on board and gave a helping hand for us to be able to continue this work. Enjoy the pictures!
Moldova
September 2019 - Preparation
The preparation for the Moldova trip this year, is in full swing. Thanks to the help of our dear volunteers and donors we managed to secure four appliances, two of which are ambulances, and a good number of fire rescue equipment. All appliances have been fully kitted, functional and ready to start their journey to Moldova. Upon our arrival together with our crew of 13, we plan to train local firefighters in the use of ladders, BA and RTC equipment. To keep up with our journey fallow us on Facebook or Twitter.
Ukraine
January 2018
Scotish Emergency Rescue Association have recently spent a week in Ukraine training and equipping the local rescue staff. On the 25th of January, a team of 9 volunteers, experienced firefighters, mechanics and paramedics, have set of on a journey to Poltava, Ukraine to deliver 3 fully-euipped fire-engines and traning to more than 80 local firefighters. After 1900 miles and 4 days of driving through Easern European winter, the team safely arrived in Poltava. For the next few days the training was in full-swing: Extrication, TraumaCare, BA, Pumps, Ladders, Driving and much more. After the first 2 days in Poltava, the team relocated and trained the fire-services from Kremenchuk and Lubny cities too. Here is our work featured on one of the local TV stations- Here
Moldova
2017 & 2018
Moldova – SERA hopes to provide enough BA Sets & Cylinders for every fire station in Moldova by means of a single delivery. We plan to send 400 sets and 800 cylinders in 2017 in order to assist the Moldovan Fire Service to provide and maintain these sets to each of their 61 fire stations. We have also been asked to send over 1000 sets of firefighting leggings and tunics in order that firefighters can safely tackle fires without themselves being burnt.SERA have been asked to assist Fireaid in the transportation of child car seats to Moldova in order to decrease injuries and deaths to children involved in a RTC in Moldova. We hope to utilize the same truck to deliver the child seats as SERA deliver the BA Sets & Firefighting Protective Clothing. The cost for this project is £3500 + VAT which we hope to raise before May 2017.
Serbia
2007 and on
SERA’s 1st partnership trip was in 2007 to Serbia where we delivered 3 fully equipped fire engines and trained 50 firefighters from the towns who would receive the appliances. This was intended as a once in a lifetime trip on behalf of Blythswood however events on our arrival changed our view. The day we arrived in Banja Bastia in Serbia, a young girl drowned in the river which ran through the town.The firefighters did not have the equipment to carry out a rescue nor recover the young girl’s body from the river when a rescue was no longer possible. We felt as a team that this was not acceptable and decided to return in 2008 with 4 additional fully equipped fire engines, an ambulance and importantly water rescue equipment and instructors.2008 saw SERA deliver another project on behalf of Blythswood Care training another 50 firefighters in what was intended to be our 2nd and final trip. During an evening meal in the spectacular countryside of Serbia, a 6ft 6” Serbian Firefighter drove 3 hours to find us and tell us his story. His story was about to alter our future plans and lay the pathway for SERA & its partnership with Blythswood Care. He told us the story and showed us the photographs of a Road Traffic Collision his fire station were called to 3 weeks after we left in 2007.The pictures were of a car with a ‘pancaked’ flattened roof semi submerged in a fast flowing river which was rising at the time due to a discharge of water miles up at the Hydro Dam. The firefighter thanked us that due to the appliance we gave them, the firefighters were able to reach the car before the water levels rose above the car. He told us that in the car there was a father driving in the front and 3 children trapped in the back of the car. Before we donated the equipment and provided the training, he said that the children would have certainly died and possibly the father as well.The firefighters in this region did not have access to hydraulic rescue equipment and had to rely on hand tools to prise metal from flesh and remove casualties from RTC’s. This resulted in a very high mortality rate with people either bleeding out within the car or barbaric roadside amputation without anesthetic or surgeons in order to remove the children and father from the car. As the firefighter broke down in tears, he told me that not only were they able to rescue the father, but managed to rescue the 3 children as well from the back of the car something they have never been able to do up until that point. This was the reason he drove 3 hours each way just to say thank you and the night we decided that we can’t stop what we were doing.We were committed at that point to equipping firefighters and 1st responders in each of these countries with the appliances, equipment and skills to save lives in a way and with such efficiency that they had never experienced before. We know that each fully equipped fire engine and ambulance saves over 20 lives per year every year. In 2016 alone we expect over 1040 people to be alive as a result of the project delivery with over 8000 people alive since we started the project.
