In March 2021, FIRE AID signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). This MoU sets out parameters for the partnership between FIRE AID and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to dispose of decommissioned fire and rescue equipment through FIRE AID’s unique equipment database.

FIRE AID’s database matches the availability of high quality, second-hand firefighting and crash extrication equipment to our member’s projects. It allows the donor traceability of their equipment through direct access to the database and a record of what equipment was donated and to which project. FIRE AID ensures all equipment donations are made in an ethical and sustainable context, directly to the recipients and always alongside relevant training.

Last week the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service donated 165 automated external defibrillators (AED’s), these are medical devices used to help those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. Our member; the Scottish Emergency Rescue Association (SERA) collected the donation and provided safe storage until the AED’s could be collected by other members. Operation Florian volunteered their van to transport the AED’s to a number of other members who were unable to collect the donation in person. Overall, the AED’s were shared between 10 different member organisations and will be donated to 12 countries including, Nepal, Ukraine and the Philippines.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for this donation, which will go on to save lives around the world. Also a big thank you to Gary Bennett from SERA and Gary Higson from Operation Florian, this donation has been a great example of collaboration, cooperation and coordination between FIRE AID members.