VIDEO: Worthing fire engines off to Russia

The second-hand vehicles, previously used in the Worthing area, have been donated to Russia by Worthing-based charity Fire Safety Friends of Russia.

The charity purchased the three vehicles from West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service for 900 each.

Worthing firefighters drove the fire engines from Shoreham Airport, where they were being stored, to a ferry at Sheerness Docks, Kent, yesterday (Tuesday, February 26).

Expected to arrive at St Petersburg in Russia on March 6, the engines will then be driven 770 miles by Kursk firefighters.

One of the drivers, Worthing district commander, Roy Barraclough, said: "The three ex-service engines are now outdated and have come to the end of the line for us, but they can still save an awful lot of lives in Kursk."

As well as the fire engines, portable pumps and electric generators are being given to help fire fighting in the Russian villages.

They will also carry a small quantity of firefighter's uniforms, helmets and spare hoses.

This is the second consignment of second-hand fire engines sent to Kursk by the charity with the help of WS Fire and Rescue Service, bringing the total number of West Sussex fire engines in use in Kursk to seven.

Chris Holgate, a retired fireman and founder and chairman of Fire Safety Friends of Russia, said: "The charity's main objective is to provide equipment and help with firefighting in Russia.

"We raise all our money through fundraising efforts and West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service give us huge support."

Statistics show the second-hand vehicles make a significant difference to the safety of the people of Kursk, with crews arriving at fires 20 per cent quicker than Russian fire engines.

The high pressure hose reels on board the British engines mean Kursk firefighters are also putting fires out 20 per cent faster.