
FIRE AID founding member Operation Florian has provided equipment and training to emergency services in Zimbabwe since 2011. It has provided support to Zimbabwe’s second largest city Bulawayo and to the capital city Harare. A brief summary of Operation Florian’s work is as follows:
Phase 1 (2011) – BA sets, RTC & firefighting equipment, PPE, smoke detectors, first aid equipment, ambulance equipment and a Dennis fire appliance were donated to Bulawayo Fire and Ambulance Service with a two week training programme.
Phase 2 (2012) – 2 Volvo fire appliances and a 20ft container of equipment were donated with a two week training programme to Bulawayo Fire and Ambulance Service. Training was also delivered to firefighters from Gwanda, Whange, Gweru, Plumtree and Victoria Falls.
Phase 3 (2013) – 2 Volvo fire appliances, 1 Dennis fire appliance and a Mercedes Turn Table Ladder were donated to Bulawayo Fire and Ambulance Service. This training programme consolidated and expanded RTC, BA, Incident Command, Technical Fire Safety and Community Fire Safety training. New subjects were introduced including high rise, hazmat, decontamination, turn table ladder, ventilation and Fire Investigation. Training of Ambulance personnel was also introduced.
Phase 4 (2014) – This phase of the mission involved the shipment of 2 containers of equipment, a fire appliance and a hydraulic platform. Training consisted of further advancement in Technical Fire Safety, Fire Investigation, Community Fire Safety, Incident Command and turn table ladder. New subjects were introduced, Transport Incidents, Ambulance Trauma Life Support, Train the Trainer and Introduction to Managing Incidents. Please use the following links to read more about phase 4 in Bulawayo and the start of Florian’s work in the capital Harare read more (Harare Phase 1).
Phase 5 (2015) – This phase of the project in Bulawayo was the result of training achievements and the positive effect of the donated equipment and fire appliances delivered in previous phases of the project. This has resulted in an increase in delivery of service to the large community of Bulawayo. The team continued with the trainer the trainer course – designed to develop personnel who will be capable of continuing the training of Operation Florian. Read more phase 5 Bulawayo.