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‘MK2UK’ Training Initiative for Macedonian
Firefighters
Bruce Hoad, Under Warden-in-Waiting
Between 17 November and 01 December 2012,
a group of 27 firefighters from across the
Republic of Macedonia took part in a training
programme for specialist fire and rescue service
instructors at the Severn Park Fire and Rescue
Training Centre at Avonmouth. This training
was organised by Operation Florian, the UK-
based fire and rescue service humanitarian
charity.
In addition to its many other aid projects
throughout the world, Operation Florian has
been actively involved with fire service capacity
building in Macedonia since 2007, and during that
time has delivered over 20 fully equipped fire
appliances, 200 sets of breathing apparatus, 30
sets of specialist road crash rescue equipment,
personal protective equipment for 350
professional and volunteer firefighters, and
relevant training for over 200 firefighters.
After an approach from the manager of the
Severn Park Fire and Rescue Training Centre, and
then extensive negotiations between the
principal partners in UK and Macedonia, a plan
was drawn up to bring 30 firefighters to UK in
November to be trained in specialist instructional
techniques in breathing apparatus and structural
firefighting and road traffic collision rescue, and
for a proportion of these to receive introductory
training in Urban Search and Rescue techniques.
The students also had the opportunity to visit and
spend some time on operational fire stations
within the Bristol area. They studied how the
UK fire service is organised and equipped, and
how it operates, and some had the opportunity
to witness their UK colleagues in action at live
incidents. Particular emphasis was placed on
how UK firefighters contribute to reducing risk in
their communities by their involvement in
proactive community safety initiatives.
Our Master, Michael Harper, took time out of his
busy schedule to visit Severn Park to witness
first-hand the training being delivered, and to talk
to the students to gain an appreciation of the
difference that this training will make to their
services back home.
At the end of the training courses the Centre
arranged a pass-out and graduation event for the
students. A combined exercise was executed,
giving the students the opportunity to display the
skills and techniques that they had learned to a
wide audience of invited guests. The event was
attended not only by a number of highly
influential figures from the UK Fire and Rescue
Service and associated industry, but also by the
Macedonian Charge d'Affaires and the Secretary
of the Association of Macedonian Citizens in the
UK. The Master was represented at this event
by our Upper Warden, Beryl Jeffrey, with whom
the firefighters were deeply impressed, likening
her to Mother Teresa, arguably Macedonia’s most
famous and much revered daughter.
The Macedonian Fire Services’ Network is in the
early stages of planning to establish a training
centre where centralised training and
development of firefighters and officers can take
place. The training of specialist instructors is a
key element of capacity building within the
Service, and it is hoped that Operation Florian
can support this development by repeating the
initiative in the course of 2013.
The first phase of the MK2UK Project must be
judged by any objective standard a major success.
The firefighters attending the training created an
excellent impression of their service through
their enthusiasm, effort and professionalism.
Bonds with UK fire services, institutions and
individuals have been formed that can only be of
benefit for the future.
Picture shows the Upper Warden presenting the
Company shield to 5 Fire Chiefs, representatives of
the Fire Services' Network in Macedonia.
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