Fire fighting equipment for Nablus 2011

Update - December 2011

At last the equipment has been released from Haifa and transported to Nablus.

Shams Eddin Abu-Ghazaleh of the Nablus Fire Department sent a warm message of thanks and photos of the engine at its new home.

"On Behalf of Nablus Fire Department Chief and all firefighters in Nablus, I would like to thank you one by one for your hard efforts and great support to Nablus Fire Department. This project mean alot for us, that mean we are still in your minds and thoughts, your efforts will be unforgetable, the Scottish Fire Brigades Union officials and members, the Scottish government, the members of Scottish Parliment, Lord Provost of Dundee and all citizens, Tayside Fire Brigades and all supporters and donors."

We are all very pleased that this project has been completed successfully despite the long distances, beaurocracy and many other challenges faced by the FBU team.

Meeting with Mayor of Nablus, Adly Yaish

The Mayor's office in Nablus issued a statement [now deleted] about his reception for the fire fighters from Scotland who drove the fire appliances and equipment from Dundee to Nablus.

Mayor Adly Yaish spoke of his appreciation for the efforts of the FBU to bring this equipment to Nablus. He also praised the long-standing twinning between Dundee and Nablus.

Update - November 2011

One appliance broke down en route and had to be abandoned. All equipment was transferred to the remaining one and continued successfully. However, on arrival at Haifa, the appliance and equipment was impounded. Meanwhile the Israelis apply storage charges which are mounting. Yet they will not release the equipment.

There is no way into Palestine without going through Israeli controls so they have a veto over any aid for Nablus such as this. Let's hope they can be persuaded to release this equipiment which is much needed in Nablus.

October 2011

The Fire Brigades Union, with support from Dundee-Nablus Twinning Association are driving two fire engines and lots of equipment to Nablus.

After leaving Dundee, they were given a send-off from the Scottish Parliament on 3rd October. They will take two ferries and a 2,500 mile journey through Europe before reaching Nablus in the Palestinian West Bank.

At a Reception in City Chambers, Dundee, the Lord Provost, John Letford, wished the delivery team of drivers a2 safe journey. He expressed support for the project as a welcome demonstration of the strong links between Dundee and Nablus.

In a statement, the FBU said: "The links between the FBU and the Palestinian people are rooted in the belief that freedom and justice are a fundamental human right. The Fire Brigades Union project will deliver firefighting equipment to assist our comrades in the Nablus Municipality Fire Department. The visit of the FBU delegation will send a message of hope and support to the Palestinian people."

Send-off from Holyrood - 3rd October 2011

The engines drove down from Dundee to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on Monday 3rd October. They were met there by the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop MSP, together with other MSPs. Together with many supporters, the drivers, fire appliances and equipment were given a good send off.

The Fire Brigades Union has raised the funds to buy the fire engines and equipment together with assistance from many other individuals and organisations. They deserve our cheers as they set out on this long drive to meet fellow firefighters in Nablus.

The donation

The five Fire Brigade Union (FBU) drivers will be driving all the way from Dundee on Monday 3rd Oct 2011 Nablus. They will deliver two fire appliances plus 150 sets of fire gear, 20 breathing apparatus sets plus cylinders, 150 pairs of fire boots and 100 pairs of gloves.

The journey

From Dundee and Edinburgh, the driving team will go via ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam. They then travel through the Netherlands, Germany, Hungary, Serbia, Macedonia and Greece where they will travel by ship from Athens to Haifa, Israel and on to Palestine. The equipment will be given to the Nablus Municipality Fire Department for their use.

The team will then hope to make their way back via Tel Aviv and Luton to various parts of Scotland.

Follow the 2,500 miile journey on Twitter

The journey can be followed on;
Twitter as @roadtonablus
And Facebook www.fbuscotland.org/road_to_nablus.htm