By Leila Merrill
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — Firefighters and EMS providers throughout the U.S. continue to gather and send supplies to first responders and other Ukrainians.
A California firefighter has been part of an effort in which the Long Beach, Los Angeles County and Monrovia Fire departments send supplies to Poland and into the war zone, Spectrum News reported.
“My family moved here when I was thirteen years old, which was in 2000,” said Igor Nisis, a Ukrainian-American firefighter and a paramedic in the Monrovia Fire Department. “I’ve been trying to be involved in helping somehow,” he said.
https://www.facebook.com/LACoFD/posts/349392453898832
The donations include clothing, medicine, medical supplies such as gauze and baby food.
A total of 11 Santa Barbara-area fire and rescue agencies have donated turnout gear, search and rescue equipment, medical supplies and other equipment, KSBY reported.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department said on Facebook that it is giving surplus equipment plus medical supplies.
In Florida, firefighters and paramedics in St. Johns County are collecting personal items and food for Ukrainian citizens and evacuees, and their department will send firefighting equipment, Action News Jax reported.
https://www.facebook.com/sjcfirerescue/posts/4903902736313586
St. Johns County Fire Rescue stations are accepting community donations in support of an effort by the St. Johns County Professional Firefighters and Paramedics IAFF Local 3865 through April 16.
“The NFPA gives us a standard of 10 years from the date of the manufacturer for our gear and then after those 10 years we typically throw it away but right now we have an opportunity to recycle it and give it to people who are in need,” said Jimi Palmer, an engineer with the department.
The list of requested items includes toothpaste, soap, shampoo, towels and underwear. Nonperishable food items also are needed.
“You can give nonperishable food items – rice, sugar, cereal, things like that and toiletries things like that – toothbrushes, deodorant, soaps, and shampoos,” said Palmer.
In Ohio, the Olmsted Township Fire Department donated turnout gear.
https://www.facebook.com/olmstedtownshipfiredepartment/posts/307068611530810