The Ukrainian Red Cross takes part in the First International Gathering of Volunteer Fire Brigades

Under a memorandum of cooperation with the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Red Cross continues to support the development of volunteer fire brigades across the country.

On 16–17 May, a landmark event for Ukraine’s emergency response community took place in the Zakarpattia region — the First International Gathering of Volunteer Fire Brigades. The event brought together 11 teams from different regions of Ukraine, units of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, including mountain rescue teams, as well as specialists from the First Aid and Civil Protection Departments of the Ukrainian Red Cross. Partners and colleagues from Poland and the Czech Republic also joined the event.

Participants took part in comprehensive inter-agency practical training in challenging field and mountain conditions, practising coordinated responses to emergencies, including firefighting, mountain rescue, and emergency communications.

Specialists from the Ukrainian Red Cross First Aid Department delivered training on first aid protocols — the immediate actions required to save lives and protect health in hazardous situations.

This large-scale international gathering marked an important step towards the adoption of European safety standards and the further development of emergency response capacities in Ukraine.

For the Ukrainian Red Cross, participation in such initiatives contributes to strengthening communities’ preparedness to respond to emergencies and reinforces a culture of safety at the national level.

Together, we support those who save lives every day.