The Operation Florian project team in Macedonia delivered of a further phase of the project in May 2015 which involved piloting tactical ventilation firefighting training in partnership with the Municipality of Tetovo.

The Operation Florian project team in Macedonia continue to build incrementally on the specialist fire behaviour skills established with the delivery of a further phase of the project in May 2015 which involved piloting tactical ventilation firefighting training in partnership with the Municipality of Tetovo.

Volunteers from Greater Manchester FRS delivered the training 

The delivery of tactical ventilation firefighting training is a highly specialist area of technical training which carries significant risk and requires that the appropriate prior knowledge and expertise is readily available amongst all firefighters. To instigate such training it is absolutely essential there is an infrastructure in place which can support the safe implementation of tactical ventilation for both training and operational incidents due to the hazardous nature of the techniques. 

The principles of tactical ventilation by forcing air into a fire affected area or compartment can offer tremendous benefits to firefighters by reducing temperatures rapidly. The training delivered reflected the previous outcomes and development of the project in that the operational capacities required to undertake tactical ventilation now exist within Tetovo and in Macedonia. 

The training was an integral stage to furthering the development of the Macedonian breathing apparatus instructors and building their knowledge base further in fire science and fire behaviour. But also it was in part a response to recent operational incidents that had occurred locally especially within high rise premises and the need to incorporate effective ventilation practices.

Operation Florian donated a PPV (positive pressure ventilation) fan to accompany the training – the first in Macedonia – with training delivered by instructors Nick Lacey and Dave Berry who are both compartment fire behaviour and tactical ventilation instructors from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.

During the one week period over 16 instructors, shift commanders and leading firefighters undertook the training in a disused factory complex which created an ideal facility for the purposes of the training. 

For more information about Florian’s work in Macedonia please read more