FIRE AID founding member EASST is an independent UK-registered charity whose mission is to save lives and prevent injuries by making road transport safer and more sustainable.

FIRE AID founding member EASST is an independent UK-registered charity whose mission is to save lives and prevent injuries by making road transport safer and more sustainable. EASST conducts a range of activities focusing on both the prevention of, and response to, road traffic collisions and supports and funds an active network of NGOs working across Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia – contributing to significant reforms in areas ranging from road safety education, occupational road safety management, better and more effective enforcement, and post-crash care. 

EASST works in a region where road traffic collisions, fatalities and injuries are having a profound and devastating impact

In 2016 we have gratefully seen a significant decline in the rate of road traffic collisions (RTCs) across our region. However, the number of crashes is still disproportionately high. In Ukraine, 78% of road casualties die at the scene of a crash, compared to less than one-third in the UK. This is largely due to inadequate fire and rescue training and equipment. An essential element of EASST’s work, therefore, involves working with our fellow FIRE AID members to provide training and resources to emergency services in our partner countries e.g. Ukraine, Tajikistan, and Moldova.

Working with firefighters in Lviv, Ukraine, where road deaths and injuries are estimated to cause an annual loss to the economy of nearly €4 billion.

In 2016 in Lviv, Ukraine, we saw the establishment of the first ever partnership group focused on RTC response, while local services also received donations of medical items along with training and fire-fighting PPE. Read More.

In 2015 and 2016, Tajikistan’s Emergency Services have received large quantities of rescue, firefighting and medical equipment and associated training due to a successful partnership between FIRE AID members EASST and Staffordshire Emergency Services Humanitarian Aid Association (SESHAA) along with EASST’s local road safety partner Young Generation of Tajikistan. Read More.

Firefighters in Tajikistan received equipment for road crash response for the first time

In 2016 EASST launched its ‘Road Safety at Work: Online Course for Managers’ to provide businesses and employees the skills needed to deliver and sustain a robust road safety management safety. Further information can be found here: https://easstacademy.org/

Further information about the activities of EASST and how it works to prevent road traffic collisions and improve response to emergencies can be found on their website: www.easst.co.uk or on Twitter @EASSTransport