U.S. Support to the Lithuanian Firefighters – Renovating Fire Stations and Providing Modern Equipment
On 27 June 2023, the inauguration of the renovated building of the 1st Fire Brigade of Panevėžys Fire and Rescue Board took place in Panevėžys. The renovation was funded by the United States Department of Defense. The estimated cost of the renovation works is more than half a million US dollars.
The grand opening of the renovated fire station was attended by Mr Robert S. Gilchrist – U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania, representatives of the US Department of Defense Mr Stephen Chu, Mr Daniel McFarland, Mr Arnoldas Abramavičius – Vice-minister of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania, and Mr Saulius Greičius – Director of the Fire and Rescue Department under the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania.
The Fire and Rescue Department started to cooperate with colleagues from the USA in 2007. From that time representatives of the Fire and Rescue Department had opportunities to participate in exercises in the USA, attend seminars and other related events. In autumn of 2021, the Fire and Rescue Department received support for Lithuanian firefighters from the United States European Command. The total value of this support, which included firefighters’ clothing, equipment and items for resting premises, was more than 500 000 US dollars.
This support is provided by the U.S. Department of Defense under the Humanitarian Assistance (HA) Program. Lithuanian firefighters will be equipped with new and modern equipment, various tools, generators, tents, household items and other needed things. It will improve the overall capacity of firefighters and assist them while responding to emergency calls more quickly.
Thanks to the great support provided by colleagues from America, the renovation of two more fire stations in the country has already started – Kalvarijos Fire Brigade of Marijampolė Fire and Rescue Service and Šalčininkai Fire and Rescue Service. The renovation of Skuodas Fire and Rescue Service building is planned to start this year. U.S. engineers have already visited this fire station in order to assess the condition of the building and the premises.
With the continuous support of the United States of America, it is planned to modernize the buildings of Švenčionys Fire and Rescue Service and Biržai Fire and Rescue Service in the future.