Photographer Ed Matthews is changing lives on the front lines of Ukraine’s devastating conflict by championing the country's firefighters. Initially focused on documenting the war for media outlets, the 26-year-old from York soon discovered the urgency of providing direct support to those fighting fires amid the chaos. What started as an effort to capture footage morphed quickly—now based in Kyiv, Matthews is actively engaged with the UK-based charity Fire-Aid, which has made significant contributions to assist firefighters struggling under the strains of war.
Since its inception, Fire-Aid has donated 118 fire engines and over 200,000 pieces of firefighting equipment to various regions across Ukraine, providing much-needed tools and emergency aid. "I produced a small documentary film for them, which is being screened today in Liverpool," Matthews said, explaining how his storytelling has enabled him to raise awareness and attract more support. Notably, the recent screening facilitated the preparation of 32 additional fire trucks, set for deployment to Ukraine by April.
But Matthews recognized there was more to be done. During filming, he witnessed the intense psychological toll taken on Ukrainian firefighters, leading him to conclude there was an urgent need for independent mental health support services. Currently, the state’s emergency services have their own psychology team, but Matthews noted there is often insufficient connection between the services presented and the actual needs of firefighters. He remarked, "It's really important to have an independent service provider who can offer support separately, helping to avoid putting any jobs at risk and making tangible differences."
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To tackle this issue, he launched the Brave Minds program. This initiative aims to provide therapy and crisis hotlines for Ukrainian rescuers, addressing both their immediate psychological requirements and long-term wellness. "Long-term, this will help save Ukrainian civilian lives—whether there’s a war or not," Matthews asserted, emphasizing the deep-seated impact such programs can have beyond mere firefighting.
The day-to-day realities of living and working in Kyiv are nothing short of surreal and harrowing. Matthews described the city ambiance, where moments of calm can abruptly shift to alarms signaling impending drone attacks. "Today, I saw a clear blue sky with traffic on the streets, but just 12 hours earlier, there was the largest drone attack of the war so far," he explained. The contrasting scenes of normalcy punctuated by the terror of war create palpable tension. For him, it feels akin to being engulfed by constant fireworks, only to be met with explosion after explosion, each bringing newfound dread.
Matthews builds mental resilience and preparedness around these threats, equipping himself and his team with proper medical supplies during air alerts. The gravity of living under such conditions has shaped his approach to both firefighting and humanitarian aid, reminding those involved of the urgent need for their services. "You work out where your medical stuff is. You make sure you know where your tourniquet and dressings are," he shared. It's this mix of urgency and readiness—paired with the blanket hope for peace—that encapsulates the essence of Matthews’ mission.
With uncertainty swirling around Ukraine’s future amid external influences, Matthews stated the overarching sentiment among Ukrainians: "They just want peace and peace that's in their best interest." His commitment highlights the human cost of this conflict—human beings who need both equipment and emotional support to persevere.
Organizations like Fire-Aid serve as lifelines to the firefighters and civilians struggling with the impacts of war. Donations and support becoming increasingly dire, enabling programs to address not just infrastructure needs but deeply rooted psychological struggles. Consider contributing to initiatives like Brave Minds, where your donation could make the difference between despair and hope for those on the front lines of Ukraine's brave fight against not only flames, but also the indelible psychological scars of conflict.