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06/07/2022 12:00 AMLast month the Westbrook Volunteer Fire Department donated expired gear that still had some life left to Ukraine to assist with depleted fire departments in that war-torn country.
Westbrook Volunteer Fire Department Chief William Cusson explained that per regulations, fire gear must be replaced every so often, even if the gear is in order. Due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russia, Ukrainian fire stations are in dire needs of gear to combat fires from bombings and military activity, for which Cusson said the left-over gear is perfect. The donation was made on May 25.
“We gave them some good stuff. I think they’ll be happy,” Cusson said.
The donated gear included 28 self-contained breathing apparatus (“These are the air tanks we go in with when we’re fighting fire,” explained Cusson), as well as boots, helmets, and other fire gear.
“Some of it is gear that never even saw fire. It’s in good shape and they can use it all,” said Cusson.
The air tanks in particular are items that Cusson said were replaced by the department only four years ago, but are still in good order. Per regulations, the department could not continue to use the tanks and Cusson said donating the gear can be hard to do. Luckily a solution presented itself.
Cusson became aware of Konstantin Tartakovsky, a fire fighter in Connecticut who was collecting gear to be donated to Ukraine.
“He’s a firefighter in Connecticut, but he’s originally from Ukraine. He started taking donations for this since it’s his country. His hometown even got bombed pretty bad, so he wanted to help out where he’s from,” said Cusson.
Tartakovsky is currently a lieutenant in the Meriden fire department but the war in Europe hit close to home, literally.
“I was born and raised in Kremenchuk, Ukraine, and June 1 marked 25 years of me living in this great country. Despite spending the majority of my life in the United States, at the outbreak of war, I was looking for ways I can help in addition to directly helping my family,” Tartakovsky said.
He began reaching out to friends in other departments and through social media the word of his goal spread. Soon multiple stations were donating the gear.
Tartakovsky said that while the media and people may fatigue from covering the conflict, no end appears in sight. With perfectly fine gear that can’t be used sitting around the fire houses, Tartakovsky said that donations of that gear can go a long way.
“I am collecting gear through June 15 just to have a date in mind, but knowing how some things take approval, realistically it’s not a hard date and there will be a few grace periods where I know people might still reach out to me,” said Tartakovsky.
He can be reached via Facebook and Instagram messenger of GetUkrainian or 203-816-0618 by phone or text.
Tartakovsky said he is working with Velox International Shipping out of New Jersey to handle getting the equipment to Poland and then onto Ukraine.