The war between Russia and Ukraine carries on and so do efforts to support Ukraine from countries across the world and, of course, our backyard. 

Portage Fire Department Chief Phil Carpenter says that sending this equipment over is part of a province-wide initiative organized in Morden.

"They're hoping to send a shipping container over to the Ukraine to support their efforts," says Carpenter. "We've looked at the equipment that we had available, and we were able to offer six sets of turnout gear. So, that means six sets of firefighting, coats and pants and some gloves to go along with that." 

The chief (who only has a couple weeks left on the job) talks about how meaningful these donations will be.

"There are terrible things going on over there, and whatever support we can offer in them dealing with the many fires that they have to deal with there, it feels good to support them as much as we can." 

Carpenter notes that being a part of something like this to help the people of Ukraine is excellent teamwork from the fire departments across the province.