Operation Florian in Ecuador May 09
Two Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service fire officers Bill Taylor and Andrew Wilkinson who are members of the fire service charity “Operation Florian” have just recently returned from Ecuador where they spent nearly two weeks training fire fighters at the countries training centre in Ruminhui which is on the on the outskirts of Quito the capital. . The initial training was in road traffic extrication and in breathing apparatus wearing, and this was given to over 45 volunteer fire fighters from 20 different towns and cities. Towards the end of their stay they gave an oversight lecture on the British Fire service to over 70 recruits who were on an eight months residential basic training course, as well as familiarisation training to twelve of the professional fire officers based in Ruminhui on the equipment Operation Florian has recently donated. Whether volunteer or professional the fire fighters desire to gain more knowledge and skills was commendable. The British Ambassador to Ecuador, Linda Cross, along with members of her staff visited the training centre and spent some time talking to the students and the instructors as well as traveling off site to a neighbouring car dismantlers scrap yard where practical extrication training was taking place.

Over the last three years Operation Florian has donated two containers of uniforms, equipment, and four emergency vehicles. This was the second visit to Ecuador by UK fire officers to carry out instruction. Whilst the larger cites in Ecuador have reasonable rescue and fire fighting equipment, the towns and villages have limited or non existent facilities.

A number of examples come to mind to perhaps illustrate the difference. The town of Porto Viejo with population of just below 200,000 has a very modest fire station with limited facilities, one American pump dating from 1983. But the extent of its use is limited having only two lengths of hose. This town has an English patron Simon de Montfort who along with others supports the fire service, and between them they have established a youth group called “ bomeritos “ young children, boys and girls from the ages of five to adult hood who undertake adventure training, learn social kills, and eventually join the ranks of the volunteer fire fighters.

Another neighbouring town Crucita a fishing and holiday resort on the coast with a population of 10,000 which is doubled during the holiday season, has recently acquired a redundant "Humberside Fire and Rescue Service" pump. The funding to pay in part the shipping costs from the UK was raised by local subscription the station is manned on station by unpaid volunteers around the cloak. A credit to the community spirit and the altruism of the fire fighters. It has been kitted out with a modest amount of equipment which has been donated to Operation Florian by other fire and rescue service in the UK.

Perhaps more typical is the town of Rio Chico, which has a covered and roofed over garage and drill ground, attached classrooms dormitory block, kitchen and toilets, but its operational equipment runs to three and a bit sets of PPE, three extinguishers, an axe and a single traffic cone, manned round the clock by unpaid volunteers they respond in a private car.

Colin Cunliffe. Retired fire officer