FireAid International was formed in the mid 1990s and since then it has co-ordinated a number of projects in which fire appliances have been refurbished and sent for further use by some of the world's poorer fire brigades.
There is certainly a vast need for secondhand fire appliances and equipment throughout the world but usually there is no money available and so fund raising has to be carried out to pay for refurbishing, equipping, transporting and training.
Overseas Development Aid funding has been used on several occasions but FireAid International has also carried out its own fund raising projects notably in sending fire appliances to Romania.
There is no doubt that numerous fire appliances, which have given good service to the UK brigades, could still be of vast use to poor brigades which often have no proper appliances or equipment. Far better that these machines give further service than go to the scrapyard.
However all this costs money and so FireAid International is aiming to " twin " brigades where appliances were in service with brigades where they are going " back on the run ". It is intended to involve the communities on the " donor " stations ground to carry out various fund raising events. When the appliance has been delivered, it is intended to keep close contacts with the brigade and community.
All offers of help with fund raising will be gratefully accepted and volunteers should contact:
The Co-ordinator at FireAid International, Vigiles House, 14 Meadow Close, Burley, Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 4EJ.
Telephone: 01425 402430; fax: 01425 402331; mobile: 0860 914650.
E-mail: co-ordinator@fire-aid-int.demon.co.uk