When the Manitoba Association of Fire Chiefs (MAFC) sent out an email to all departments across the province asking for donations of used gear and anything else that could be used to support Ukraine, the Winkler Fire Department was one of the first to answer the call.
Department chief, Richard Paetzold, explains what prompted members to respond and also act as the local collection site,
"What really set our department into motion was, you know, when we got word that 12 firefighters (in Ukraine) were killed when they were attempting a rescue in an apartment block that had been bombed, and when they were doing those rescues, they got bombed again. I can't imagine what it's like, in our generation and in the western world here, we don't know what that's like for many, many years," he said.
Chief Paetzold says there is a sense of family among firefighters across the world, and the war in Ukraine is seeing a worldwide response.
"There's fire departments all over the world, you know, just seeing in Europe, countries are donating fire trucks and ambulances and all that because it's all stuff that's getting used up very quickly in some cases, unfortunately, which definitely, there's a human cost to that."
The number of Manitoba fire departments donating used gear, cash and other items that could be useful in Ukraine, is growing.
Darlingford Fire Chief Cal Funk talked about how his department responded to the email from MAFC.
"There was a request for firefighting equipment, turnout gear, boots, helmets, etc. We were able to donate three sets of gear to their cause going into Ukraine. We're always looking for places to get rid of our used gear. When the guys get new sets, you don't want to throw them away, but you want to replace them. So, rather than destroying them, having a place to send them where they're actually going to be needed and wanted, it's a really good feeling."
After working with Yevgeniya Tatarenko, the organizer for the local group, Help Ukraine - Morden and Pembina Valley, Chief Funk put out a challenge for other departments to step forward and shared there are opportunities for other sectors to support this effort as well.
"I really hope that more departments can step up. Just talking to her (Tatarenko), there was a need to move things to Toronto to the airport. So, if trucking companies can step up and haul, even a couple of boxes. Talking to Yevgeniya, there was a need for all that stuff, so it's not just fire department gear, it's the logistics of it afterwards too."
As of the time of publication, Winkler, Altona, Morden, Steinbach, Darlingford, Miami, Dauphin, Brandon are known departments taking part in this endeavour. Tatarenko confirmed there are still many needs going forward. She is especially looking for people travelling to Poland, Germany, Romania, or Moldova who could take donations with them when they go.