OUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Macedonia - May 2008

Macedonian firefightersMacedonian firefighters

Operation Florian is the charity that provides training and donates Fire Service equipment to communities in need across the world. Here, David Simpson, a Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Watch Commander explains how he and fellow Operation Florian member and Greater Manchester Watch Commander Steve Jordan visited Sveti Nikole in Macedonia to evaluate the fire service there and determine what help they needed.

In early 2007 Operation Florian received a letter from a group of volunteer firefighters from a town in the centre of Macedonia called Sveti Nikole. As a result of the request, myself and Steve Jordan flew over to visit and make an assessment of the country and the fire service so we could determine how, and what Operation Florian could do to help, and in what specific areas.

Recently the country has gone through a process of de-centralisation. This means that instead of one government controlling the country and the fire service, the country has been split up into 35 municipalities. This results in 35 different fire services, working to 35 different standards, using 35 different levels of equipment. They did however all share one thing in common, very little training, very little equipment, and very little Personal Protective Equipment.

Firefighting without a fire engine!
The visit to Sveti Nikole produced the most surprising shock of all, they had a volunteer and professional fire service but with one vital piece missing - a fire engine! Their firefighting capabilities were limited to grass beaters and water back packs. When fire does break out the crews can only do the best they can with the very limited resources available, resulting in needless losses of life and property.

The plan
It became very evident that we had a huge task and in the short time of the visit we had only scratched the surface. On return to the UK we drew up a proposal for the project to take place recommending that we deliver the following:

  • A donation of four fire appliances to three identified regions;
  • A donation of firefighting and rescue equipment;
  • Breathing apparatus training course;
  • Road traffic collision extrication courses to professional firefighters in three identified regions;
  • Basic pump and ladder training;
  • Basic driver training and mechanic training;
  • Emergency planning training to one region.

This training will be carried out to the standards of the UK fire service, and it is hoped it will give improved operational functions, and capacity and build relationships between all the agencies involved.

The needs of the project became even more apparent in the summer of 2007 when the country suffered a large number of out of control wild fires which led to a state of national emergency stretching firefighting resources and capabilities beyond their limits. Unlike many other countries the UK government did not respond to calls made for international assistance. However at very short notice and using the contacts made on the previous visit only a few months earlier Operation Florian was able to donate and deliver (with the help of British Airways) over a tonne of Personal Protective Equipment to the Macedonian firefighters who had had no protection from fire before.

Fundraising
In order to carry out the project, approximately £40,000 needs to be raised. This does not include any of the members’ time or holiday taken from work as this is all given voluntarily.

We are currently in the process of a major fundraising drive with fire services across the country holding events such as car washes, Firefighter Experience days for adults and children, raffles, dinner evenings, selling yellow helmets etc. Nothing is too big or small, everything counts, so if an event is taking place in your area please give generously. If you would like to donate money to Operation Florian, you can contact Steve Jordan by calling our switchboard on 0161 736 5866 or alternatively fill in the online contact form.

Putting the plan into action
It is anticipated that in May 2008 the four fire engines and equipment will be driven over to Macedonia and delivered to the designated areas. The drive should take approximately four days by a crew of four on each fire engine driving continuously round the clock. Then two weeks of intensive training will take place between the Macedonian firefighters and the team of trainers that are also going over to the country, some are driving in the convoy and some are flying. This will be a great experience for both those taking the equipment and delivering the training and for those who are going to benefit from all the donations, not just the firefighters but all the people of Macedonia.

**Update May 2008**
A large donation has helped Operation Florian and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service purchase a fire engine which is to be delivered and donated to firefighters in Macedonia.

The donation by Siemens has not only provided a fire engine for the project but it will also be used to help fund our trained firefighters staying for a further two weeks to deliver specialised firefighting and rescue training.

An event to celebrate the donation and the work of Operation Florian was held at our training centre in Manchester and attended by senior representatives from Siemens including the Director of Fire Safety, Stuart Gilbert.

If any other companies or businesses are interested in sponsoring a fire engine or making a donation to Operation Florian they can contact Steve Jordan on jordansa@manchesterfire.gov.uk

Keep revisiting this page to find out just how the trip went. Find out more about Operation Florian now at www.operationflorian.co.uk.