A Tribute to Dave Barker Read
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Dave Barker Read.
Read the full storyLauren Hayes shares her volunteering experience with Operation Florian
“I would implore anyone who is considering getting involved in volunteering for Operation Florian does to do it! It really was a life-changing experience.”
Read the full storyOperation Florian Team Enhances Water Rescue Capabilities and Supports Macedonian Communities
Operation Florian members visit Macedonia as guests of honour to support Macedonian Rescue.
Read the full storyOperation Florian win at the Excellence in Fire and Emergency Awards 2023
We are delighted to have won the International Best Practice Award at the Excellence in Fire and Emergency Awards 2023.
Read the full storyAngus Fire – Equipment Donation
We recently visited Angus Fire to collect a gracious donation of firefighting equipment and extinguishers.
Read the full storyOperation Florian supports ground-breaking research at UCLAN
Operation Florian has been delighted to support some research being undertaken at the University of Central Lancashire.
The research project was split into two parts:
- Contamination of fire scenes by firefighters’ boots, after treading in spilled petrol and
- Persistence of petrol residues on firefighters’ boots between 1 and 2 days after exposure.
The first part of the project involved the person walking into a petrol stain on concrete and then walking 5 paces with the right foot landing on a floor surface – carpet, laminate floor and bare wood. The analysis is to see how far into a simulated scene petrol can be detected. The second part involved walking on the petrol stain, then walking 1 km. The boots were then collected 6 hours, 12 hours, and 14 hours afterwards.
The project led by Stephen Andrews, a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Fire Investigation, is part of a wider series of projects he is supervising on cross-contamination at fire scenes, and how to minimise the risk. There is a big push to do research into these problems as fire investigators in the Fire and Rescue Services move towards having to comply with ISO EIC 17020 standards.
Operation Florian provided the fire boots used in this research and previously supported undergraduate students at UCLAN during their final year research projects. One of our Directors, Dr Shephard Ndlovu, has and continues to facilitate this collaboration between Operation Florian and the University.
Read the full storyChinhoyi Fire Brigade in Zimbabwe ready for action thanks to Operation Florian
In 2021 Operation Florian donated an ex-Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service fire appliance and equipment to the community of Chinhoyi in Zimbabwe.
Read the full storyDave Barker-Read shares his volunteering experience
“I need an RTCI at short notice” was the message I saw on Facebook in April 2014, about a year after I became an Operation Florian member. After a quick review of my CV, I was accepted to travel to Chisinau and then on to Floresti to deliver RTC training to the local firefighters of Moldova.
The following year I was accepted again to return to Moldova for further training in RTC extrication, trauma care and appliance familiarisation. Having proved my worth, I have been fortunate to represent Operation Florian in Harare and Bulawayo, Zimbabwe on several occasions, most recently in June 2023 where I ran breathing apparatus courses.
Bulawayo June 2023
After a short period of settling in after arriving in Bulawayo, our team travelled to Famona Fire Station in downtown Bulawayo to view the facilities and teaching environment. Operation Florian teams usually consist of instructors who have been before and new members who are on their first projects abroad. The trip to the fire station was a chance to see the teaching environment before any students arrived, and was particularly useful for the newer team members.
The first working day always starts with a welcome to students and a formal introduction by team members. The students were then split into various classes focussing on BA, Incident Command, Community Fire Safety and RTC procedures, for two weeks of intensive training.
During the two weeks there is also the opportunity to meet Local Councillors, UK Diplomats and Civic Dignitaries. This networking is vital in spreading the message of Operation Florian and representing the UK fire and rescue service in a wider context. The hosts are always receptive to the charity’s generosity, appreciating that the instructors are volunteers and give up their time to help.
Normally the hosts are generous enough to organise some entertainment during the weekend breaks. This could be a trip to a wildlife sanctuary, site of particular interest or local pleasure spot in which to relax before returning for the second week.
The two weeks pass quickly; hard but rewarding work in the daytime and relaxing in the accommodation at night. Soon the final day arrives and with it either a ‘pass out parade’ or formal key handing over ceremony with local dignitaries before the inevitable celebrations- singing, chanting and laughing bringing the project to a close.
A two-way learning process
I have always found Operation Florian to be a two-way learning process. While we deliver UK fire and rescue service procedures, we are also able to learn from local firefighters about their own specific risks, such as bee swarms and rescues from open wells.
It is always a humbling experience to be able to help others, particularly in a chosen career which has had so many highlights. All team members take the attitude we go to Zimbabwe not to instruct, tell or educate but to mentor, guide and advise students in their careers.
There is so much you gain from volunteering with Operation Florian, and I highly recommend it to any fire and rescue personnel who are thinking about getting involved.
Read the full storyFiona Hopper shares her thoughts on the Bulawayo June 2023 project
Fiona Hopper shares her thoughts on the two weeks she spent in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe with Operation Florian.
Read the full storyNorth Macedonian firefighters welcomed to Worthing
North Macedonian firefighters recently travelled over 1,500 miles to visit Worthing Fire Station and learn about the English fire sector.
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