A partnership between Avon Fire & Rescue and the Gambia Fire Service has seen a large amount of supplies, including PPE, shipped to the Gambia to help protect communities from COVID-19.
The shipping container, which contained a large amount of donated equipment including sewing machines, also included tailored face masks for firefighters and ambulance staff, to support them in their efforts to limit the spread of the virus.
Gambia and Avon Fire Services in Partnership (GAFSIP) works to help the fire service in the Gambia work towards its objective of self-sustainability, preservation and protection of health as well as the provision of humanitarian service to the communities it serves.
Paul Kirk, GAFSIP Trustee said: “We are delighted to be supporting our colleagues in the Gambia through the provision of vital equipment, that will really make a difference to the way we continue to tackle Covid-19, across the world.
“The GAFSIP charity commission backed partnership has stood for 29 years, and moving into its third decade the sense of a shared vision to protect members of the public, whoever and wherever they are seems more poignant than ever.
“During this time, the support of the charity has seen an increase from two fire stations and approximately 80 staff in 1991, to 13 stations and over 1200 staff in 2020. We are pleased to be able to help once more in light of the ongoing pandemic.”
Gambia and Avon Fire Services in Partnership (GAFSIP) is a Charitable Trust for a collaborative venture, which has been in existence since 1991, between Avon Fire and Rescue Service and The Gambia Fire and Ambulance Service.
The role of GAFSIP is to coordinate and facilitate the shipping of donated fire, ambulance vehicles and equipment, together with educational materials and spare parts as the need arises, as well as facilitating regular training visits.
