This appeal for Ukraine's 10th Rescue Squad was launched in April 2024. Total raised in first stage (through Crowdfunder, trade union donations, collections, etc): £11,013 (plus direct donations of equipment etc)
Total in much shorter second stage: £5,069 (plus direct donations)
Total in this stage (including this Crowdfunder): £7,850
Total funds raised so far = £23,932
Please donate, circulate and - crucially - raise in your union or other organisation for a donation. If you can help with direct donations of equipment, PPE, etc, get in touch: [email protected]. For a list of what the Rescue Squad is looking for, see below.
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With the support of UK trade unions and trade unionists is raising funds in response to an appeal from the section of the Independent Trade Union of Miners of Ukraine (NGPU), representing the teams of the 10th Mining Rescue Squad in eastern Ukraine. The NGPU is part of the Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Ukraine (KVPU).
The work of the Rescue Squads includes not only operations in the mines that they have kept working, but also fighting fires and carrying out wartime rescue operations in the towns and villages which are under direct Russian artillery and missile attacks. Many rescue workers have been killed, some deliberately targeted by Russian strikes.
They are working in very difficult conditions with few resources. The conditions in those areas is such that they have to carry out Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) operations with the most basic equipment. There is no on-hand facility for the supply or maintenance of sophisticated USAR detection and structural equipment as used by UK fire and rescue service USAR teams.
USC is a solidarity and support organisation that works directly with Ukrainian trade unions in a range of sectors. Responding to appeals from rescue workers on the frontline, we are raising funds to procure equipment which the trade union has appealed for to help the Rescue Squad.
Please donate and share awareness of the appeal.
Thank you to UK organisations supporting the appeal, including the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and various of its sections, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), train drivers' union ASLEF, seafarers' union Nautilus International, the London Fire Brigade branch of public sector union UNISON, and a wide range of other union branches, etc. The appeal has also been promoted by the Trades Union Congress (TUC).
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We have already delivered a significant amount of PPE and equipment, plus two vehicles, to the Rescue Squad.
Equipment they are looking for includes the following. If you can help with procuring any of it, as donations or for purchase, let us know: [email protected]
Tunic and leggings
Fire boots
Helmets
New Fire fighting gloves
Atlas diesel compressor trailer
Hyundai Flood pump
Medical trauma first aid kit
Halligan bar tool
Mobile lighting trailer diesel powered
Shovel light weight
Foam branch
Gas analysers
Thermal imagers
Holmatro cutting equipment set petrol powered
Pick axe
Rescue axe small hatchet
Large rescue axe
Helmet pads
Portable radios
Winches
Additionally the Squad has requested help procuring:
- An additional vehicle of the type of a pickup truck with four-wheel drive, five seats, for the transport of rescuers and emergency rescue equipment.
- An anti-drone system for the protection of vehicles / rescuers.
Funds raised after 22 December 2024 will go towards these. If you can help with procuring either or both, please get in touch: [email protected]