Big Donation from Sellafield Fire and Rescue Service
Operation Florian has taken delivery of a donation from Sellafield Fire and Rescue Service. The ex-service PPE donation consisted of several hundred fire tunics and bunker trousers. Sellafield Fire and Rescue Service’s donation was generously extended further after they included fire helmets, flash hoods, gloves, and fire boots.
Sellafield and other sites from Sellafield Ltd have been supporters of Operation Florian for over 20 years.
This donation will certainly provide our overseas fellow firefighters with a much-needed greater degree of protection, enabling them to protect their communities. On many occasions, this will be the first PPE they have ever had.
Ex-service vehicles, PPE, and equipment may have finished their provision with UK FRS, but they still have a service life, which is put to good use, helping struggling overseas emergency services.
Recycling firefighting equipment is also a great way to reduce an organisation’s carbon footprint; doing something very positive for the environment and helping communities in need. We take pride in maintaining a level of sustainability in emergency services.
We would like to give a special thanks to DCFO Alistair Watkinson and his firefighters from Sellafield Fire and Rescue Service for arranging this donation.
Sellafield Fire and Rescue Service firefighters in action on a practical drill session.
The donation was counted, sorted, and packed, ready to be placed in our secure storage facility.
Now packed within one of our storage containers, the Sellafield Fire and Rescue Service donation is ready for distribution when required for an overseas project.
Read the full storyZoe Taylor shares her experience volunteering in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
My name is Zoe Taylor, and I am a Firefighter with West Midlands Fire Service.
Being selected for my second Operation Florian deployment in March 2025 came as a huge honour. I knew that travelling and working in Zimbabwe was going to be a totally different escapade from my previous trip to Macedonia (also with Operation Florian). And, I wasn’t wrong…
Connecting in Addis Ababa airport in Ethiopia and meeting part of the team to continue our journey, I knew it was going to be just as rewarding. Finally, when reaching Bulawayo and meeting the rest of the 23-strong team, I wholeheartedly knew I’d made the right decision. We were all from different backgrounds and stages in our careers, including students from the University of Lancashire who were studying fire and leadership.
I was tasked with instructing core skills as part of a four-person team, all from varying brigades. This sometimes made teaching tricky, due to the differing techniques and standards throughout the UK.
Despite the challenges, we persevered and ensured the delivery of information was consistent and relatable to the types of incidents the students normally face in Bulawayo. The intense heat, long hours, and large student group made it tough, but I think it was one of the most lively and fulfilling roles to have had.
The respect and willingness to learn from the firefighters of Bulawayo was inspiring and heartwarming. Their attitude towards me and the other instructors was fantastic. The welcome from the mayor, councillors, and other delegates was overwhelming and a true reflection of their gratitude.
I’m confident that the continued commitment to training is paying off out there, with a noticeable improvement in emergency response, techniques, training, and, most importantly, lifesaving PPE and equipment donated by Operation Florian. I truly feel that being part of this mission made a real difference.
Even though our primary visit was to train, on the weekend, I was privileged to go on a day’s safari and experience the magnificent Victoria Falls, which was epic.
It’s hard to put into words how awesome the trip to Bulawayo was and the life-changing effect it had on me. I will always be grateful for the opportunity given to assist Operation Florian and the people of Zimbabwe.
I look forward to offering support in any future projects that the charity devises, and would like to recognise the time and dedication put into the planning and organisation of these trips by the charity and all its volunteers.
Operation Florian Assist Norfolk Firefighters in Ukraine Project
Operation Florian received a request from Chris Standley of Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service for help sourcing equipment for fire appliances going for donation to Ukraine. The project was being sponsored and run by charities Actions Beyond Words and the DISS and District Rotary Club. Serving Norfolk firefighters drove the fire appliances out and carried out a training program in Ukraine.
Planning for a project like this takes many months of hard work and effort. Above all, it is great partnership working together to achieve a goal. These vehicles and equipment are vital to help maintain a fire service to protect the people of Ukraine.
Operation Florian supplied the convoy with fire tunics, bunker pants, flash hoods, gloves, fire boots, fire extinguishers, branches, and other equipment.
The team drove through Europe to reach their destination in Ukraine. One of the fire appliances went to the Pylypets Community and the other fire appliance to Odessa Region. They went via the Uzghorod Region. All the planning and efforts came to fruition when the vehicles were handed over to fellow firefighters in Ukraine. Operation Florian was proud to help the charities and firefighters with this vital cause and aid.
The two charities and Norfolk firefighters are hoping to deliver more ex service vehicles in the future.
Operation Florian Replacement Van
Operation Florian has a new van to cover our operations in the north of the UK. This vehicle comes with great thanks and appreciation to Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service. www.lancsfirerescue.org.uk
The vehicle was, until donated to the charity, used on a daily basis by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service to assist in running the service. Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service have been a fantastic supporter of the charity since the creation of Operation Florian in 1995. Without the help of UK Fire and Rescue Services and other organisations we could not carry out the vital work as a charity to help our fellow emergency services throughout the world in their time of need.
It will be used to pick up and distribute donations received to the charity, mainly in the north but also throughout other areas of the UK. The van will be a vital asset in the running of Operation Florian.
It will allow our volunteers to pick up large items of equipment because of its large storage capacity.
We now operate two vans, the other of our vehicles being based in the south of the UK.
After his first mission for Operation Florian Darren Jardim, Cleveland Fire Brigade, shares his experience of volunteering in Harare, Zimbabwe.
After his first mission for Operation Florian Darren Jardim, Cleveland Fire Brigade, shares his experience of volunteering in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Read the full storyAdam Turner shares his experience of volunteering for Operation Florian in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Adam Turner is a paramedic who went to Harare with an Operation Florian team in September 2024. He has written a short script which describes his experience.
In September I was fortunate to head to Harare in Zimbabwe with Operation Florian and a group of firefighters and one other paramedic from the UK. Our task was to deliver two courses to the ambulance crews of the Harare Fire Brigade. This was my first time in Zimbabwe and my first project with Operation Florian!
We started off by visiting the main station in Harare followed by a visit to the outlying stations in the suburbs to be able to get an idea of the geography of the city and the possible distances that crews may need to travel to incidents.
Pete (my fellow paramedic who was also a firefighter for many years!) and I started off day one of our course with 20 enthusiastic and motivated individuals with a range of clinical grades. We soon learnt that ambulance crews in Harare regularly deal with traumatic injuries and maternal emergencies on an almost daily basis. The course involved a blend of theory sessions, skill stations and practical scenarios – the crews dealt with these simulated patients fantastically!
After a week of discussing and practicing the management of medical emergencies, traumatic injuries, resuscitation and lots of other topics, the class had a final exam to sit, and everyone passed with flying colours!
After week one, our hosts had arranged a trip to the Imire rhino and wildlife conservancy for a safari for the whole team. I certainly wasn’t expecting this, and we were all extremely fortunate to see rhinos, elephants, giraffes and wildebeest to name a few.
After a rest day, we were straight into week two with a new group who were equally as enthusiastic. This week, the weather was much hotter than before which made conditions challenging at times, however this did not stop the ambulance teams from demonstrating some excellent patient care in difficult scenarios. This included a joint exercise with their firefighter colleagues who rescued multiple casualties experiencing burns and smoke inhalation.
The week finished with a passing out parade and demonstration involving firefighters and ambulance crews to an audience of their peers and local dignitaries. An impressive spectacle that demonstrated a combination of skills and competencies.
The two weeks I spent in Zimbabwe were unforgettable, I have made some great friends and I am very grateful to our hosts in Zimbabwe and Operation Florian for the opportunity.
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service Research and Development team donate to Operation Florian
Operation Florian recently received a fantastic donation consisting of 80 breathing apparatus sets, 160 cylinders, 40 entry control boards and spares/accessory kits from the Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service Research and Development team, supported by Interspiro.
To put some perspective on this, a donation of this size will be issued to nine fire stations covering approximately 8.5 million people in communities in need worldwide! This donation was only possible due to the help and support from:
- Interspiro
- Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service
- Bucks and OFRS Driving Centre
- OFRS Supplies and Workshops
- Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service
A huge thank you to all involved for this incredible donation.
Adam Lamarre shares his volunteer experience
Adam Lamarre is one of the UcLan students who joined Operation Florian on a project to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe in March 2024. He has kindly shared a day-by-day experience from his time volunteering with us.
Read the full storyLancashire Fire and Rescue Service donates PPE to Operation Florian
Operation Florian is thrilled to receive another generous donation of ex-service PPE from the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.
Read the full storySam de la Hoyde shares his experience volunteering with Operation Florian
“The two weeks I spent in Bulawayo will remain a cherished memory. I hope to reconnect with the friends I made at Bulawayo Fire Brigade on future Operation Florian projects.”
Read the full story