| Editor's note: The International Fire Relief Mission, founded by Ron Gruening and Mark Allen, aims to help active duty firefighters in countries and communities lacking modern fire/rescue equipment and technology. In the following article, Mark explains how a visit to Moldova in eastern Europe kickstarted their work. |
By Mark Allen
International Fire Relief Mission
Photo Mark Allen
Firefighters in Chisinau have to rely on aged equipment and vehicles. |
As we walked along the street in Chisinau, Moldova, Ron suddenly said, "Mark, look at this." It was an open area with several uniformed men standing around a couple of benches. We were looking at the local fire station and its firefighters.
We introduced ourselves through our interpreter and asked if we could look around. When the firefighters realized that we had served in fire/EMS services for many years, they warmed up. Ron describes it as "firefighters are the same everywhere." They showed us around the outside of the station house. It was literally a garage area located under a ten-story residential apartment building with a small courtyard in front of the garage doors to move vehicles around.
As we moved around the yard and into the garage area, we noticed that the vehicles were very old and looked as though they had outlived their usefulness a long time ago. Then, another man appeared and asked what was going on. It was obvious to us he was the fire chief. His name was Alexi — and he did not look pleased that strangers were looking around. We introduced ourselves to Alexi and he became friendly when he heard of our backgrounds. He then invited us into the station house and showed us all over the building.
There was a small cramped room where they bunked the firefighters and their locker room was approximately ten by fourteen, with 40 lockers. We eventually ended up in Alexi's office and sat down to talk. He called two of his captains to come over and talk with us. We found out that the most common cause of fire in Moldova was electrical problems. The buildings they fight fires in are like fortified bunkers — they are made of thick concrete walls, and there is no place for the heat to go.
Rubber raincoats
The chief showed us their turnout gear as we were leaving. We were surprised at what we saw. They held up several old rubber raincoats with no insulation. Several helmets looked to be from World War II. They stated they shared ten air masks among 85 firefighters. Their hand tools were inadequate. All in all, we were looking at a very poorly equipped fire department.
Alexi asked if we could possibly do something to help them. Upon our return to the United States, we began an effort called the International Fire Relief Mission-Moldova 2007 project. The goal was to recycle used firefighting equipment back to the country of Moldova. We were able to take our need for equipment to our home areas of Minnesota and Wisconsin with the help of various firefighting associations and local radio and television media.
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The response from the fire service was overwhelming! We collected and shipped more than $540,000 worth of recycled equipment. To make sure the firefighters would properly use the equipment, we traveled to Moldova during the months of November and December last year to train them on NFPA equipment basics.
But we aren't intending to stop there. Our goal is to collect and recycle serviceable fire and EMS gear to second and third world countries that lack critical firefighting equipment. In this region, the personal protective equipment is literally a rubber rain suit with no thermal or moisture barrier systems. Head protection is limited to essentially a low quality motorcycle helmet, while protective gloves and boots are non-existent. Fire apparatus is also needed. A small village in Moldova named Streseni has one tanker and the fire crews fill it with a two-gallon bucket from a well in the ground.
We train the firefighters within basic NFPA standards curriculum on the equipment we deliver and the curriculum has been translated into their native language.
Our focus is on providing firefighters less fortunate with good equipment and the basics of training,
We look to collaborating with like organizations to enhance advanced and specific training initiatives beyond our delivery.
Photo Mark Allen
Firefighters are taught about the proper use of the new equipment. |
To provide the necessary equipment and training, there are many needs that have to be
met:
- First and foremost we are in need of serviceable used equipment. We can use any of the items listed: Helmets, PPE turnouts, SCBAs, hand tools, hoses-nozzles and fire apparatus. Please do not send anything that is marginal or not serviceable. We are required to inspect all equipment for the customs manifest and shipping.
- Other ways to be part of our action team are through training. We always need volunteers to teach basic firefighting/EMS. Perhaps you cannot travel but want to help in your local area. We need individuals that have experience to be a regional coordinator of equipment.
- Another way to support the International Fire Relief Mission is through financial giving. The cost to collect, deliver and train firefighters in second and third world countries can be quite large. We incur costs from shipping boxes and plastic wrap all the way to airfare for our training teams.
For more details, go to Ifrm2007.googlepages.com/ or e-mail rgruening@gmail.com.
