About Us

About Us

Since 2007 the Scottish Emergency Rescue Association has been the project delivery team for Blythswood delivering over 71 fully equipped Fire Engines and Ambulances to countries such as Moldova, Ukraine, Serbia, Romania & Burundi.
In addition to the donation of equipment, SERA has trained hundreds of local firefighters in each of the host countries in order that they can safely use and maintain the equipment and vehicles provided.
SERA have developed an educational programme alongside the appliance, equipment and delivery programme where we work in schools and colleges in each country taking the message of home fire safety and road safety to the young people of each country in an attempt to prevent tragic events before they happen.
SERA consists of a team of volunteers with various skill sets from Firefighters, Police Officers, Paramedics, Mechanics, LGV Driving Instructors and Educational Specialists.
Members of the public and businesses in the UK are the life blood of SERA which without their support, we simply could not save the hundreds of lives as a result of each project delivery.

Gary Bennett

Founder and Chair

Gary started his working life as a Planning Engineer in the construction industry and thereafter moved into a career in Fire safety. Gary gained his fire service qualifications and served as a Station Officer with Fife Fire & Rescue Service for 12 years. Gary was keen to continue studying and completed his MSc in Fire & Explosion Engineering at the University of Leeds becoming a Graduate with the Institute of Fire Engineers in 2005. Wishing to pursue a career in the engineering side of fire, Gary formed Braidwood Fire Ltd, a fire engineering and fire safety company creating bespoke and creative fire prevention design with cutting edge research-based solutions.

Gary’s passion for helping firefighters was ignited during a mission trip to Romania. Gary experienced first-hand the limited equipment and safety kit the firefighters possessed and set about finding ways to support their needs. In 2007, Gary founded Scottish Emergency Rescue

Association (SERA) to equip and train firefighters in Serbia, Moldova, Romania and Ukraine - saving thousands of lives.

The essence of the SERA charity is one based on integrity, creativity, compassion and care and these key values are embodied by the team of volunteers. Gary continues to seek ways to improve and develop services and our environment. He is constantly seeking new opportunities to understand, shape and progress how we live through analysis, research and experience while using solid fire engineering principles as stepping stones to a better future.

Gary leadership style is humble, empowering, attentive and heartfelt. He organises and leads every trip, however you’re more likely to find Gary in his fire kit amid the labour than taking any credit for what he has achieved.


Some key Members

SERA are empowered, enabled and assisted purely by volunteers who are numerous although each one extremely valuable.

Robert
Forsyth

Robert Forsyth served in the fire service for 40 years prior to his retirement in 2016 and is the epitemy of what a good firefighter should be. His passion for helping people and other firefighters through SERA is the lifeblood of what we do. Rab currently volunteers with SERA on a weekly basis collecting, repairing and preparing every piece of equipment to ensure that it is fit for purpose and ready to go back into full operational use. His passion when teaching firefighters in our host country is evident and he quickly becomes a focal point and natural mentor to fellow firefighters while maintaining the humility of always looking for better ways to do things and receptive to our partner firefighters ideas.

Charlie 
Nicolson

Charlie Nicolson is an independent councilor living in Stornoway however has worked tirelessly in Moldova since 2002. Charlie regularly visits Moldova where he has an extensive working relationship with the UK & US Embassies and Moldovan Government departments to help deliver projects which have benefited the community of Nisporeni, Moldova. Charlies passion for children’s and communities work has seen him as the driving force for several schools and education projects; hospital and community projects as well as youth and children’s camps in Moldova. Charlie was made an Honorary Citizen of the town of NISPORENI in MOLDOVA for his Service to the Region of Nisporeni and Moldova.. and is the first British person to receive such accolade in this area of Nisporeni Moldova. He has been serving in that area under the auspice of Blythswood Care for 15 years

Graham 
Barclay

Graham Barclay is a serving firefighter with the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service and after 25 years’ operational service, switched to Community Prevention where he plays a key role in several Community Safety Initiatives including ‘Safe Drive Stay Alive’, Child Car Safety Week and works in many schools daily on behalf of SFRS & various other stakeholders. Graham is currently taking the lead role in developing our schools and colleges education programmes alongside partners within each host country and other organisations such as Fireaid, Blythswood Care and the Red Cross 

Richard
Newton

Richard Newton is an IT Project Manager for a large security company has been involved with SERA from the very start. Ricky’s numerous skills include Project Management which being a valuable transferable skill assisting in each project delivery also has an unprecedented knowledge of the mechanics and workings of every appliance and piece of equipment we come deliver. As well as assisting with the Project Management prior to the departure of each trip, Ricky manages the appliances and equipment during each overseas operation with a team of mechanics and driving instructors at his disposal.
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