Firefighter Aid Ukraine – Meet the Teams Behind the Mission
Firefighter Aid Ukraine – Meet the Teams Behind the Mission
Firefighter Aid Ukraine (Edmonton, Alberta)
Established in 2014, Firefighter Aid Ukraine (FFAU) has become a cornerstone of international support for Ukraine’s emergency response network. Over the past decade, FFAU has worked hand-in-hand with the State Emergency Services (DSNS) delivering nearly 500 tonnes of life-saving rescue gear and medical aid to frontline responders and hospitals as of Spring 2025. FFAU even supports several orphanages in Ukraine.
FFAU is not just about delivering equipment—it’s about building capacity. From Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), K9 Training, Vehicle Extrication, Building Stabilization, and Technical Rope Rescue to advanced medical courses and now, for the first time: Swift Water Rescue Training.
FFAU has strong roots in cities across Ukraine, including Kyiv, Lviv, Uzhgorod, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Odessa, Chernivtsi, Dnipro, Cherkasy, Mykolaiv, and Nikopol. Their mission is grounded in trust, action, and long-term commitment.
The Firefighter Aid Ukraine Swift Water Rescue Team:
Kevin Royle – Founder of FFAU | 15-year firefighter with a deep commitment to Ukrainian responders.
Bryce Nixon – 15-year firefighter | SRT/IRTA Instructor, program development lead.
VitaliyMilentyev– Strategic Advisor | The mission’s “fixer,” who kept logistics smooth and the team focused.
AspenAid (Aspen, Colorado)
AspenAid is a nimble, action-driven NGO formed in response to the humanitarian crisis caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion. With a focus on supporting first responders and frontline communities, AspenAid provides critical supplies, protective equipment, and coordination with international partners to maximize impact on the ground.
AspenAid also plays a vital role in storytelling and awareness—connecting global audiences with the lived experiences of Ukrainians through media, education, and direct engagement.
The AspenAid Team:
Michael Houlehan – Founder of AspenAid | Advocate for Ukrainian resilience and support.
Ryan Warren – 8-year firefighter, former U.S. Army Special Forces, and litigation lawyer | Brings tactical insight
Oro Whitley – Photographer & NGO worker | Volunteered his time to document four days of training and supported multiple Ukraine-based non-profits, often working on the front lines.
Lynn – Colleague of Oro Whitley | Provided essential behind-the-scenes support, helping to coordinate media coverage, logistics, and on-site documentation during the training.
And to the countless others who have shown support and volunteered their time—whether in Edmonton, Aspen, or around the world—thank you for standing behind Firefighter Aid Ukraine and AspenAid.
The Spark: A Simple Idea and a Bold Goal
In September 2024, FFAU proposed a new initiative: deliver water rescue gear and training to Ukraine, where flooding and river rescues due to natural disasters and attacks on infrastructure like the Kakhovka Dam are a growing concern. The team in Edmonton, Alberta, knew this would require extensive funding and awareness, so they started small—with a custom logo and hat fundraiser inside their local fire department. It raised $1,300—not bad, but a long way from the estimated $65,000 needed to bring the full project to life.
Despite the modest beginning, Raven RSM immediately stepped up, offering financial support and professional pricing on gear. Their early backing gave the project momentum and proved the mission had merit.
Silence, Then another Spark
Through the fall, FFAU sent countless emails and inquiries—but many led to dead ends. Then in early January 2025, the game changed. Craig from NRS Rescue picked up the phone, excited about the idea and eager to support it. His enthusiasm was contagious, but while NRS was on board in spirit, the project still lacked the financial lift it desperately needed.
Delivering the NRS equipment to Ukraine Firefighters.
AspenAid Enters the Picture
A week later, a pivotal video call took place between FFAU and Michael Houlehan, founder of AspenAid—a nonprofit from Aspen, Colorado, known for its rapid, hands-on humanitarian work in Ukraine. AspenAid and FFAU had collaborated on projects in the past and the AspenAid team quickly rallied behind the vision, contributing donations and helping build momentum almost overnight.
This was the tipping point. Within weeks, phone calls and emails between FFAU, AspenAid, NRS, and Raven were in full swing. NRS followed through with deep discounts on gear, and soon shipments were heading to Aspen, Colorado and Edmonton, Alberta.
From Warehouse to Water
Once the equipment arrived, logistics took center stage. That’s when Airlink and Nova Ukraine stepped in. These two humanitarian organizations played a critical role in sorting, shipping, and ensuring the gear reached Ukraine in time for training.
But they didn’t stop there—Airlink even secured flights for the instructors, making sure the people delivering the training could get where they needed to go.
Boots on the Ground
What came next showcased the global spirit of firefighting brotherhood. Upon landing in Poland, the instructors were greeted by Polish firefighters who volunteered their time and vehicles to transport the team to the Ukrainian border.
From there, the team crossed on foot, carrying bags of gear and personal equipment. Waiting on the other side was a Ukrainian rescuer, who drove the final stretch to the host city—bringing a journey that spanned three countries, six organizations, and months of effort to a successful beginning
The crew arrives in Poland soon to be taken to the Ukrainian border.
Six Days on the River: Building Water Rescue Capacity in Ukraine
Over six days of training, the instructor team from Firefighter Aid Ukraine and AspenAid delivered intensive swift water rescue training to 32 Ukrainian rescue technicians, divided into two groups. The sessions began on a calm river within town limits and culminated on a fast-moving, mountain-fed river—an ideal setting to test both skills and gear to their limits.
The students came from across Ukraine, and their backgrounds were as diverse as the regions they represented. Some were experienced rescuers, already familiar with rope systems and inflatable crafts in high-flow conditions. Others were entirely new to swift water rescue—but every participant showed up with dedication, discipline, and a hunger to learn.
“I was sitting upstream waiting to demo the next skill,” said instructor Travis Bilou, “when I looked up and saw a Soviet-era bus drive across the bridge. For a second I forgot I wasn’t back on the North Saskatchewan River. That moment snapped me back to reality—it reminded me just how different our worlds are, but also how much we share.”
Smiles in the Current, Conversations on the Shore
The water became more than just a training ground. As the days went on, smiles and laughter returned to the faces of the participants—many of whom hadn’t felt that lightness in months. Being in the river offered a momentary escape, a reminder of what normal can feel like.
Through quiet conversations during gear checks and meal breaks, the instructors learned that some students hadn’t seen their families in over a year, while others had no home left to return to. Still, they trained hard. They pushed forward. And in those moments on the water, there was joy, camaraderie, and a sense of shared purpose that transcended language and circumstance.
Adapting to the Learner, Honoring the Experience
With four instructors leading the course, the team was able to adapt each day to meet the students where they were—breaking the class into smaller teams to focus on both foundational and advanced skills.
What stood out was the leadership and mentorship shown by senior Ukrainian rescuers, who modeled techniques without hesitation. Their example lifted the confidence and performance of the entire group—and helped build a deeper sense of trust and unity among the teams.
New Gear, New Techniques — and a Bit of Competition
The course introduced modern rescue tools and techniques, many of which were brand new to participants. Highlights included:
Multi-patient throw bag techniques
The “Yellowstone Method” for single bank rescues
“Shower Curtain” containment for multiple Patients
NRS ASR 155 inflatable rescue boat (“Banana Boat”)
Tethered Swim Rescues
Crossline Reach Tool — for retrieving lines or penduluming across a river
The Crossline Reach Tool quickly became a favorite. What started as a demo turned into a friendly competition between instructors and Ukrainian rescuers—each racing to secure a line faster than the last. Laughter echoed across the water as the challenge grew, breaking language barriers and forging real bonds.
Each drill reinforced critical safety practices and empowered rescuers to bring home not just gear—but confidence, knowledge, and a new level of readiness to the communities they serve.
Behind the Scenes: Translators Who Did So Much More
Every mission like this relies not just on gear and instruction, but on the people working behind the scenes to bring it all together. For us, that meant working closely with three incredible individuals: Vitalii, Nadiia, and Andriy.
From day one, they were far more than translators—they were essential teammates. Two of them are members of the DSNS (State Emergency Services of Ukraine) and played a crucial dual role: helping translate instruction and coordinating logistics on the Ukrainian side. They made sure students arrived on time, gear was delivered to the site, and communication flowed smoothly throughout the course.
And then there was Nadiia, who volunteered her time to help. What began as translation support quickly turned into full participation. As the days went on, she embraced the water—eventually letting instructor Ryan guide her down a rapid, laughing and learning alongside the rescuers she was helping to support.
Their energy, adaptability, and commitment made everything run smoother, and their willingness to jump into the experience—sometimes literally—left a lasting impression on all of us
Nadiia was a crucial part to to the success of this trip. Here she is taking an active role in the course.
A Country of Beauty, Pride, and Resilience
Outside of the training, the team had the chance to experience the heart of Ukraine—its landscapes, its people, and its quiet strength.
The country is stunning. From mountain rivers to town squares, every place we visited was clean, well-kept, and full of character. But what stood out most was the resilience and pride of the Ukrainian people. Whether we were being offered traditional meals, touring local landmarks, or hearing stories from the field, their history and culture were always front and center.
We never had a bad meal, and the hospitality was unmatched. One evening, we turned a corner and found a group of kids and young adults playing street hockey in the town square—sticks clacking, laughter ringing out under the setting sun. As Canadians, it made us smile. It was a small but powerful reminder that even in times of war, life and joy continue. Peace can exist amid struggle.
Every morning at 9:00 a.m., the country pauses. No matter where you are—on the street, in a café, at a construction site—everything stops for a moment of silence. This is immediately followed by the Ukrainian national anthem, played over loudspeakers and public radios, paying tribute to the fallen. It’s a daily act of remembrance and unity, and experiencing it firsthand was deeply moving. It speaks to the collective strength of a nation that refuses to forget, and refuses to be broken.
Still, the harsh realities of war were never far away. Each time a fighter jet roared overhead, we were reminded they weren’t flying in celebration of a sporting event or holiday—they were flying with purpose, loaded for war. The absence of men aged 25 to 60 was striking, a silent testament to the nation’s sacrifice. Families we passed—mostly mothers with children—carried a quiet burden. One evening over dinner, we watched a woman and child light a candle and lay flowers at a memorial, likely for a husband and father who would never return. It was a jarring reminder of where we were and what this country continues to endure.
And yet, even in that grief, there was beauty. In the evenings and on weekends, people dressed in their traditional vyshyvanka shirts, heading out for church, coffee, or time with family. It was a proud, visual declaration: We are Ukrainian, and we are still standing.
Looking Ahead: Ice Rescue 2026
With the success of the water rescue course now behind us, planning is already underway for the next step in strengthening Ukraine’s emergency response: Ice Rescue 2026.
Our goal is to train 50 students from five regions over the course of five days, providing not just education, but the critical gear needed to perform rescues safely and effectively. The focus will be on frozen lakes and ponds, where too often rescuers are called to save lives with only a rope tied around them for safety—if that.
This next phase aims to equip crews with:
Mustang Ice Command Suits (donated and purchased)
Ropes and rigging
Rescue sleds
Inflatable boats
Essential ice rescue hardware
We’ve been told that every winter, multiple fishermen fall through the ice, and that many rescues are carried out at great personal risk to responders. With the right training and tools, that can change
Support Ukraine’s Water Rescuers
Help build lifesaving capacity where it’s needed most.
Whether you’re a fire department, a whitewater professional, or simply someone who wants to make a difference, here’s how you can support the cause:
Donate Gear
We are accepting new and used gear from fire departments and water rescue professionals. Every helmet, drysuit, PFD, or rope can save lives.
Make a Financial Donation
Your financial support helps us deliver critical training, purchase specialized rescue gear, and cover logistics to reach frontline communities. Donate now at:
Bryce Nixon is a 15 year veteran of the Edmonton Fire Department where he is apart of the Swiftwater Rescue and Ice Rescue Technician Advanced teams, as well as, the program lead for the Firefighter Aid Ukraine.
