South Wales recycling project sends 11 engines to Serbia

Firefighters from South Wales are preparing to send 11 fire appliances to Serbia under a recycling initiative.

More than 50 firemen and firewomen will make the 1,500 mile journey through France, Germany and Hungary. The crews will deliver the engines to the Serbian fire service.

The project is an initiative by South Wales Fire and Rescue Authority which earlier this year agreed a three year rolling programme to ‘recycle’ old fire appliances rather than scrap them when they receive new stock.

Steve Logan, station commander at Caerphilly Fire Station said: “The fire engines that stand to be disposed of are at the end of their working life under British standards. But in developing countries like Serbia, what we consider end of working life, I think they consider is their infancy. Because we have this natural disposal programme, in my opinion, it’s criminal to scrap those vehicles and not be able to give them a new lease of life.”

Each firefighter is personally funding their own travel expenses. £2,500 is needed to transport each fire appliance and firefighters are working hard at getting as much sponsorship as possible to fund the move.