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Transcript/ScriptKharkiv Rescue Team – Kosstutschenko
HEADLINE: Ukrainian Firefighters Get Help from US, Europe During Wartime Struggle
TEASER:
PUBLISHED AT: 08/22/2023 at 10:10AM
BYLINE: Anna Kosstutschenko
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Kharkiv Region, Ukraine
VIDEOGRAPHER: Pavel Suhodolskiy
VIDEO EDITOR: Pavel Suhodolskiy
SCRIPT EDITORS: KEnochs;
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, Story Hunter
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TYPE: TVPKG
TRT: 2:19
VID APPROVED BY: KE
EDITOR NOTES:
((INTRO))
[[Firefighters all over Ukraine are stretched to the limit due to Russia’s war on their homeland. This year, the firefighters made contacts in the U.S. and Europe that are providing support to help them save lives in Ukraine. Anna Kosstutschenko reports from Ukraine’s Kharkiv region.]]
((NARRATION))
((NATS)) ((Firemen working))
Roman Kachanov is a professional rescuer and firefighter with over 16 years of experience in Kharkiv. He says since Russia’s invasion and because
((Mandatory courtesy: State Emergency Service of Ukraine, Kharkiv Garrison))
of non-stop shelling, his work has become much more intense.
((End courtesy))
((Roman Kachanov, Kharkiv Fire Station No. 11)) ((ENG))
“Much more work and this work is much more intense, and we have more weight on us, because we have to wear these vests which are 30 pounds, more than what we usually …
((Mandatory courtesy: State Emergency Service of Ukraine, Kharkiv Garrison))
..have.
We struggle with lack of equipment, lack of training, but now we got
((End courtesy))
a lot of these – thanks to the help of Europe and America.”
((NARRATION))
((Mandatory courtesy: State Emergency Service of Ukraine, Kharkiv Garrison))
Support has also come from the charity foundation "United Help Ukraine”, founded
((End courtesy))
((Mandatory courtesy: United Help Ukraine))
by American Ukrainians in Washington, DC.
Kachanov and his colleagues met foundation representatives at a large
((End courtesy))
((Mandatory courtesy: Roman Kachanov))
firefighter conference in Indianapolis on April 2023.
((Roman Kachanov, Kharkiv Fire Station No. 11)) ((ENG))
“While we were
((End courtesy))
showing our mission to the people, we got a lot of contacts, which also helped us get more efficient contacts in New York, Chicago, Washington. // Also, different fire departments gave us ambulances.”
((NARRATION))
((Mandatory courtesy: Roman Kachanov))
The Kharkiv garrison of rescuers reports getting 10 calls per day in the region. One rescue mission can last up to several days.
((End courtesy))
((NATS)) ((Firefighters working))
((NARRATION))
Because of active hostilities, rescuers face more risks from mines and shelling, says Serhii Bilous, a Kharkiv rescuer with 13 years of experience.
((Serhii Bilous, Kharkiv 8th State Fire and Rescue Detachment)) ((UKR))
“A 5-story building was hit by a rocket, and while the guys were extinguishing fire on one side of the building, we were working on getting out the people who were under the rubble. // All while shelling was taking place. And since the structures were very unstable, it was scary for all of us, but it ended well.”
((NARRATION))
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February fo 2022, Kharkiv garrison officials say they have received over 200
((Mandatory courtesy: State Emergency Service of Ukraine, Kharkiv Garrison))
specialized machines and equipment from other countries.
Because it’s close to the frontline, the
((End courtesy))
region sees constant shelling from artillery, mortars, and aircraft, says Kachanov. And the need for more equipment to clear all the rubble is constant.
((Anna Kosstutschenko for VOA news Kharkiv region Ukraine)
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
Kharkiv region Ukraine
Embargo DateAugust 22, 2023 15:42 EDT
Byline
Anna Kosstutschenko for VOA News
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
