European Fire Safety Week 2023

During this year’s European Fire Safety Week – 13th to 17th November 2023 – Bertin Environics honours all brave firefighters and first responders who put their lives at risk to save others and help their communities rebuild from the rubble. In this particular year we want our thoughts and support to be with the Ukrainian fire fighters. Even though they are not at the forefront of the military action, they are under constant threat of attack. All the work they do is done under constant danger to their own lives… 

Since February 2022, images of the destruction in Ukraine became inescapable and increasingly horrific. But there are also records of a nation full of resilience and perseverance. The first responders and fire fighters of Ukraine are risking their lives to save others.   

The State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) has 60 000 responders across the country. Their tasks are supporting approximately 10 000 of volunteers. They not only rescue, but also clear explosive objects.  

Since the beginning of the conflict, 78 Ukrainian first responders were killed, at least five have been taken prisoners and nearly 100 have been injured (numbers from 8.8.2023 information). In total over 120 fire stations have been destroyed. There are also reports that over 1600 fire trucks and over 400 ambulances have been destroyed. On the 1st of September of 2023, the calculated damaged infrastructure cost has reached over 150 billion euros. 

Bertin Environics has been supporting Ukrainian first responders to enhance their CBRN capabilities. Together with our local representative, we have delivered chemical detectors, radiation identification systems and vehicles, biological identification kits etc. for various organisations to fight against CBRN threats and risks. Hands-on trainings, as well as a local language e-learning course, have been an essential part of the capacity building. The latest multiauthority hands-on training was conducted last September.

In this European Fire Safety week, let’s honour the memory of the fallen fire fighters and first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice, for saving others’ lives.  

“We don’t want their memory to be thought of with just tears. We want them to be remembered with smiles. We want them to be remembered fondly, and we think that they would want us to focus on all the good that they have done for us.” 

CBRN Specialist, Training Manager Toni Leikas