The occasion saw the commissioning and blessing of a Rescue Tender vehicle delivered from Shropshire to Pilisvörösvár.

The Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service made a submission early last year to the European Commission for funding through the Lifelong Learning Programme (Leonardo) and they received a grant that allowed them to send 36 members of staff on ‘educational study visits’ (each of one week’s duration) to fire and civil protection agencies operating in five European countries – Hungary being one of them.

The Hungarian Firefighters Association (HFA) agreed to act as Shropshire’s ‘Partner’ and they ran a competition throughout Hungary to select a volunteer fire department suitable to receive one of the Service’s Rescue Tenders, that were being replaced. (The donated vehicle is second-hand but in excellent condition.)

The winning village was Pilisvörösvár and in January of this year six staff from Shropshire transported the vehicle (fully laden with rescue equipment) 1,300 miles and trained the local fire-fighters in its use.

The Rescue Tender is intended specifically for dealing with road traffic accidents and rescues. It is not a conventional ‘fire engine’ for fire-fighting.

During their January stay in Pilisvörösvár, the visitors noted that the local fire-fighterwere using an old ‘vintage’ Fire Engine. On their return to the UK they made a further submission for Leonardo funding for 2008 and found out only recently that they were, yet again, successful. The funding will allow for the donation of a fully equipped Fire Engine later this year, together with training provided by six voluteers from Shropshire.

HM Ambassador Greg Dorey participated at the event, where he read out the formal joint letter from the Chair of Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority and the Chief Fire Officer announcing the continued support of the European Commission and the proposal to provide the replacement Fire Engine.. The Ambassador said he was pleased that so many links have grown up between the UK and Hungary since he was last serving here between 1989 and 1992.

Some of them are encouraged by the Embassy, but many of the strongest and most enduring connections are nothing to do with governments – rather, they are based on the ties between individuals and organisations. "Our two countries are geographically a long way apart. Perhaps that helps to make our friendship all the better. As the proverb says, "distance lends enchantment". When I come across relationships like this one, between Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service and Pilisvorosvar, it gives me great hope for the future."

Source : langlovagok.hu