From the North Country to Ukraine, it’s all one brotherhood.

"When you see one firefighter struggling and not having the equipment they need, it really is gut wrenching,” Belleville Fire Department volunteer Jay Canzonier said.

So Canzonier and firefighters across the North Country are stepping up by collecting and donating turnout gear to firefighters in Ukraine.

“It’s out of its certification date for U.S. standards,” Canzonier said of the gear, "but it still has a lot of service life left in it. It will definitely protect the wearer.”

In the country recently invaded by Russia, conditions are so harsh that Ukrainian officials are asking anyone and everyone for safety gear.

“So it just seemed like a natural fit that the fire community of Northern New York should want to participate,” Canzonier said.

Over the course of just the past couple of days, Canzonier and the Belleville Fire Department have collected that gear from departments across the region — pants, jackets, boot and helmets — all to keep the firefighters in Ukraine as safe as possible.

“It sure makes you feel a little bit better about not being able to actually help over there. This is a little tiny effort that we can do that is going to make a big difference,” Canzonier said.

In addition, the department is also collecting other out-of-date equipment such as axes, boards and whole lot more. It’ll be doing so until Monday when all of this gear begins the journey to Ukraine.

If you or your local department has any gear or equipment it can donate to the Ukraine, Canzonier is asking people to call him directly at 315-523-0760. All donations must be made by Monday morning.