Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 08/09/2011 16:38

Two volunteers from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service and one from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service will be joining seven other Rotarians and a civilian mechanic on a 1900 mile journey to provide communities in Albania and Kosova with potentially lifesaving and life enhancing fire and medical equipment.

Rotary District 1290’s Overseas Project Team is currently gearing up for the 51st such project when four vehicles – two fire appliances, a Landrover converted to a FireFighting vehicle and the team’s van and a trailer – will set off at 9.30a.m. on Sunday 18th September 2011 from Liskeard Community Fire Station.

The project will provide the towns/cities of Junik and Rahovec, Republic of Kosova and Bulqise-Central Albania with fire appliances to improve, in some cases nonexistent, their fire and rescue capabilities. The fully equipped Dodge fire appliance has been generously donated by Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service and will include crash rescue equipment and Breathing apparatus.

This is the eighth fire appliance that Cornwall Council has donated to developing countries or ones that are rebuilding themselves such as Albania, Ghana, Croatia and Kosova. The vehicles have all been at least 15 years old and have very little or no resale value – in some cases a cost would be incurred in scrapping the vehicle if it were not donated.

Lance Kennedy said: “The effect that these vehicles have on the communities they are sent to cannot be over-stressed.

“I can only congratulate the individuals involved who put in their own time to get these vehicles back into shape so that they improve the equipment available in these communities. I wish all involved a safe journey.”

Cornwall Council always obtains the best possible value for any vehicles or other items that it is selling on. Any revenue is then re-invested into Cornwall Council assets.

A water carrier vehicle will provide the community of Junik their first fire and rescue appliance, and the Dodge for Rahovec will replace all the existing non functioning appliances. Bulqise will receive their first fire and rescue vehicle that will have mine rescue equipment on board as well.

In addition to the fire and rescue appliances, this mission will also provide Gjakova’s medical services with an array of much needed medical equipment.

Notes to editors: The vehicles involved in this project will be available for photographing/video recording on Sunday 18 September 2011 and team members will be available for interview.