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.
Day 1:
On 16th March, the UcLan students headed to Manchester airport where we had a meal together before heading for the gate. We then flew to Geneva, landing for an hour to refuel, before flying to Ethiopia. Here we had a quick transfer to the next flight to Zambia, where we refuelled for another hour before finally arriving in Bulawayo in Zimbabwe.
Day 2:
On our first full day, along with the rest of the Operation Florian team, we visited Bulawayo City Hall where we met the mayor of Bulawayo, introduced ourselves and talked about what we would be doing during our visit. After that, we made our way back to Fomana Fire Station to meet the students who would be taking part in the training. For the first week, I was working on the RTC course. On this first day of delivering training, we started by introducing the students to the different types of cutting equipment that they would be using.
Day 3:
On day three we took a minibus to a local scrap yard to provide the students with hands-on experience using the RTC cutting equipment. They were instructed to take all four doors off a car by using the spreaders using different techniques. After this, they proceeded to successfully take the car roof off. Later in the day, I volunteered to act as a casualty in a car wedged up and on top of another vehicle. The students had to carefully extract me from the vehicle!
Day 4:
Day four saw us carry on from where we left off on Tuesday. We were back at the scrap yard, this time practising and learning how to fold the roof down and dash roll and lift, meaning the students learned how to use the hydraulic rams and tools to be able to free a casualty’s legs if they were ever pinned and stopping them from being able to remove them.
Day 5:
On day five we proceeded to learn and improve on the use of airbags. These would be used to carefully lift a vehicle if there was anyone trapped beneath the vehicle. We first practised a front axle lift where they used airbags to carefully lift the front of the heavy vehicle and free a trapped patient from underneath. They then proceed to do the same on the back of the vehicle on the rear axle. We also learnt the basics of trauma on an RTC using M.A.R.C.H:
M: Mass haemorrhage
A: Airways
R: Respiratory
C: Circulation
H: Head and other
Day 6:
On day six we had a change of scenery and visited three different schools. We visited a primary school followed by a high school where we explained the entry requirements to be a firefighter and what they do as well as talking about PPE and the appliance. Later on in the day, we visited a school that was on a farm out in the countryside. We introduced ourselves to the kids and showed them the fire appliance. We ended the day with a game of volleyball.
Day 7:
Day seven was a well-deserved rest day, where we visited a country park and got to see some rhinos up close. It was amazing to see these animals in their own habitat, as well as seeing baboons and other animals around the park.
Day 8:
On our second rest day, we visited an animal sanctuary that rehabilitated and rescued animals that couldn’t be released in the wild. We saw everything from lions and jaguars to crocodiles and snakes!
Day 9:
On day nine we were back to Famona fire station to start the second week of training. I was now supporting the Breathing Apparatus training where we focussed on how to do general checks on the BA kit and how to service them. Myself and Tom then got to wear the BA sets and go under the air to practice compartment searching which was new to us!
In the afternoon we visited ‘fire station 4’ where we used smoke machines to simulate a fire for the students to practice the search procedures and finding casualties.
Day 10:
On day ten we started by doing the general BA checks before heading over to Clifton Court where the students practised their stairs procedures and compartment searching again, searching under beds and sweeping in doors, learning how to know the difference between a door and opening.
Day 11:
On the morning of day 11, we headed to an underground basement where the students had the chance to practice more BA exercises in an unfamiliar building. We had multiple teams working at the same time which had its difficulties but the students did a great job. They then had their exams in the afternoon when it was time to put all their practising to the test!
Day 12:
Day 12 was when the students had their ‘pass out’ parade and were awarded their certificates. Myself, Jess and Sam were interviewed about our experience volunteering in Bulawayo!
Day 13:
Our time in Bulawayo was now coming to an end. We got to see the newly donated fire engines at the Fire Station before we headed out to watch a Highlanders Football Club Game! We were escorted and shown around by the CFO. The game was an incredible experience with a great atmosphere from the local community. We were taken onto the pitch to meet the team and CEO after they won the game! The day ended with a lovely meal and the chance to explore the local markets.
Day 14:
This was our last day. We thanked the staff around the hotel for their great hospitality and kindness before heading to the airport to head back to the UK. What an incredible trip we all had!
*The students would like to thank: the University of Central Lancashire and Surety Fire Solutions Ltd for financial support. We would also like to thank Operation Florian Fire and Rescue Service Humanitarian Charity for general support, provision of opportunity and facilities.
