Roman is the head of the Department of Construction, Economic Development, International Cooperation, and Investments for his village council in the Lviv region. He is also a volunteer firefighter for his community, alongside other volunteers from all walks of life. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Roman and his colleagues have become their community’s first responders, rescuing fellow citizens from brutal attacks from Russia’s forces.
On August 10, 2023, Russia’s forces targeted the Lviv region with their missiles, impacting more than 100 families.
“I heard the rocket whizzing past my home, rushed to the balcony, and witnessed the explosion. I knew at once that our team must assemble. We arrived on the scene to find many families trying to get to safety.”
As volunteers, at the start of Russia’s full-scale war, Roman and his colleagues lacked the training and equipment they needed to fully respond to the type of emergencies caused by missile attacks. USAID supported Roman’s community, and many others, to bolster this lifesaving emergency response capacity – from supporting the registration of volunteer fire brigades as legal entities to providing urgent training programs and equipment. To date, USAID has helped 16 communities establish volunteer fire brigades like Roman’s, equipping each group with protective gear, motor pumps, chainsaws, rescue motor cutters, rechargeable spotlights, fire extinguishers, and hydraulic rescue tools.
Roman explains how his team put this equipment and training to use, saving Ukrainian lives following Russia’s August attack.
“We acted swiftly, extricating people from the rubble, administering first aid, cutting off gas supplies, and disconnecting electricity to avert further fires. In such crises, rapid response is paramount.”
In 2023, Roman and his colleagues responded to 15 major emergencies, and many smaller emergencies.
“Our operation is voluntary, yet, thanks to our supportive partners, like USAID, we are thoroughly prepared for any emergency and always ready to help,” he says.
USAID’s local governance programs are providing emergency assistance to 180 communities like Roman’s in 19 regions across Ukraine, helping local governments to build their resilience and respond to the needs of their citizens amid the demands of Russia’s war.
