Page 137 - Archived Back Issues

‘MK2UK’ Training Initiative for Macedonian Firefighters
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.
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.
Bruce Hoad, Under Warden-in-Waiting
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.
Picture shows the Upper Warden presenting the Company shield to 5 Fire Chiefs, representatives of the Fire Services' Network in Macedonia.
At the end of the training courses the Centre
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