Firefighters from North Vancouver are joining a 12-day mission to Ukraine to share their expertise in rope rescues with first responders in the war-torn country.
District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services members CJ Summers and Ryan Svendsen will be headed to Ukraine in September.
The partnership between North Vancouver and Ukraine began in 2022 when veteran firefighter Jared Reynolds of the District of North Vancouver travelled to the country to teach tactical first aid skills. He has also played a key role in co-ordinating the distribution of essential supplies, from medical equipment to warm coats during the winter when their energy grid was damaged.
“Then, this opportunity came up,” said Summers. “Due to the constant shelling and drones hitting residential buildings in Ukraine, they are looking to really shore up their rope rescue program with simpler and safer systems.”
Summers described Svendsen as one of the “most senior” instructors in the art of rope rescues.
“He teaches ropes off the job. He’s developed a plan along with some firefighters from the Edmonton Fire Department. We will bring this plan over there, along with gear that Ukrainian firefighters can implement and make their jobs safer for themselves.”
Summers said mission fills him with feelings and optimism.
“It’s just something that I’ve always wanted to do, helping out in some way, and I’m definitely not alone in that. There are so many of us who want to do that,” he said.
However, none of their help to Ukraine’s people could happen without funding. The firefighters have already secured 90 per cent of the donations required for their mission but they are aiming to raise an additional $6,000 to cover the costs of brand-new gear and equipment.
“I understand everyone’s going through a tough time. I feel it. The department feels it. Everybody feels it. But if you’re in a position to help, no matter if it’s $5 or $10, or even if it’s just passing on the message about this potential mission in September to get that additional donation across the finish line, we would be over the moon,” he said. “If we can just get the community behind this initiative and this mission, it’ll be the first of many. Your support, in any form, will be our way of doing anything to help those in Ukraine.”
To support your firefighters and help them reach their fundraising goal, please visit dnvfirecharity.ca or dnvfirecharity on Instagram.
Fatemeh Falah is an intern reporter with the North Shore News. She can be contacted at [email protected].
