A large convoy of firefighters from three North West fire services have set off on a journey to deliver supplies to the Ukraine border.
With the devastating conflict in Ukraine continuing to rise, volunteers from Greater Manchester, Merseyside, and Lancashire fire services have sent vehicles out on a trip across Europe, together with members of the Manchester Ukrainian community, to deliver firefighting materials to the Ukraine and Poland border.
Two fire engines and a hydraulic platform, which are no longer in use, are being donated to help Ukrainian firefighters.
GMFRS’ Chief Fire Officer says this is “the fire service at its best”.
These donations from the North West-based fire services form part of a wider UK donation of supplies, which include 18 fire engines, thermal imaging cameras for finding victims, generators, lighting, hoses, rescue equipment, and PPE.
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A convoy of 22 vehicles and two lorries of equipment are now on their way to Poland.
The equipment will be received by the Polish State Fire Service, and given to Ukraine to support those on the front line, according to ITV Granada.
Speaking ahead of the convoy setting off, Dave Russel – Chief Fire Officer at GMFRS – said: “The devastating scenes in Ukraine have moved everyone across GMFRS and the fire service family, and I’ve been overwhelmed by the offers of support from colleagues who want to do all they can to support the people of Ukraine.
“I’m immensely proud of our involvement in this national drive to support our fellow firefighters on the frontline.
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“I want to thank everyone who has worked hard to coordinate this response, whether gathering the equipment, coordinating the logistics or volunteering to be part of the convoy.
“This is the fire service at its best.”
Featured Image – GMFRS
News
Co-op Live confirms cancellations caused by part of air conditioning unit ‘falling from ceiling’
Daisy Jackson
The Co-op Live arena has confirmed the cause of tonight’s last-minute gig cancellation and subsequent postponement of future shows.
Reports said that an object had ‘fallen from the ceiling’ before doors to the public officially opened.
Co-op Live has now confirmed that ‘a component of the air conditioning system’ separated from the ductwork, and stressed that no one was injured.
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, the artist who was meant to perform tonight, had said that ‘something happened with the venue while I was at soundcheck today’.
Oak View Group, which owns the venue, said that it had ‘made the necessary call to ensure the full safety of all visitors to the venue to postpone the performance’.
Tim Leiweke, Chairman and CEO of Oak View Group said: “The safety and security of all visiting and working on Co-op Live is our utmost priority, and we could not and will not run any event until it is absolutely safe to do so.
“Today was a very unexpected situation but without a doubt the right decision.
“I deeply apologise for the impact that this has had on ticket holders and fans.”
It’s believed that the issue with the HVAC system was an isolated incident ’caused by a factory defect’.
Co-op Live said: “We were not able to verify that all similar nozzles were free of such defects.
“In conjunction with wider stakeholders, Oak View Group has made the necessary call to ensure the full safety of all visitors to the venue, and to postpone the performance.”
The rest of the nozzles inside the huge arena will now be tested for similar defects.
They said in a statement: “We understand the need to reassure fans over future shows. We are working with artist management and promoters to limit the impact on the opening season schedule.
“Where necessary, we will identify alternate dates, and will continually reassess to provide fans with sufficient notice regarding imminent shows.
“Should shows be cancelled or rescheduled, fans will be contacted by their point of purchase and offered a full refund where preferred.”
Olivia Rodrigo’s two Manchester shows at Co-op Live have been postponed
Daisy Jackson
Olivia Rodrigo’s shows at Co-op Live in Manchester have been postponed after a night of drama for the new arena.
The star was meant to bring her GUTS Tour to the city on Friday and Saturday night.
But the huge 23,500-capacity arena has now confirmed that both of these gigs will be postponed.
New dates will be announced as soon as they’re confirmed.
Co-op Live said in a statement: “Due to an on-going venue-related technical issue, the scheduled performances of Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS World Tour on 3rd and 4th May are being postponed.
“Ticket holders can either hold onto their tickets or obtain a refund from their point of purchase.
“We deeply apologise for the significant inconvenience this will cause for many.”
The massive arena was supposed to open for the first time to the public tonight with a performance by A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie.
But it was called off at the eleventh hour, with fans turned away from the doors just minutes before they were meant to open.
Co-op Live has now confirmed that the reason for the cancellation was that a piece of the HVAC (air conditioning) system had ‘separated from the ductwork’.
Rigorous testing on the rest of the system now needs to take place before fans can safely be welcomed inside.
Olivia Rodrigo has yet to issue a statement about her Manchester shows on 3 and 4 May being postponed.