Euan Ferguson

International Firefighters Day – Remembering The Fallen:

Today, 4th May, is International Firefighters Day. It is a day for us to honour the memories of firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty. This Sunday many of us will be attending the memorial service at Fiskville, alongside CFA members, families, friends, colleagues and distinguished guests, to remember the 66 CFA firefighters who have died serving our community. It is important to recognise the men and women in our community who commit themselves to protecting the safety and welfare of our family, friends and neighbours and often, strangers they have never met. I encourage everyone to take a moment today, and on Sunday, to reflect on the work our firefighters carry out every day, to commemorate the memory of those who are no longer with us, and to celebrate the strength that comes from being a part of the CFA family. Our work can often be long, dangerous, difficult and with little reward. Every once in a while, a firefighter may be asked to do something extraordinary – to think quickly and clearly, to act decisively and to provide help amid scenes of great trauma, tragedy and personal risk. Today is a day to thank all firefighters for their extraordinary commitment, exceptional courage and for their selfless service and, sometimes, sacrifice. Some of you have served our communities for most of your life. For some a few short years. But you set yourselves apart as model citizens. You set a fine example in our community. Your willingness and dedication to serve is to be congratulated. Thank you for your service, your commitment and for your courage.

The Spirit Of CFA:

On International Firefighters Day, I am reminded by those deeply moving words on “The Spirit of CFA” posters produced in the wake of the Black Saturday fires: “Hailing from all walks of life, you are our mothers and fathers, our brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, our grandparents, neighbours and our friends. You help and protect us, without wanting of recognition or reward. In our time of need you are there. Your courage and compassion are inspiring, your loyalty unquestionable. You comfort us with a tender hand; you stand at the face of nature’s beast and fight for our lives and our land. You are the essence of the true meaning of community. You epitomise the Australian spirit, the spirit of CFA.”

Source: CFA Connect, Australia

The Director General, Dr. Rizwan Naseer said Rescue Service in all Districts of Punjab dealt over 33000 fire incidents in Punjab and saved worth million properties of the nation. Rescuer & Firefighters are the first people, who respond to any emergency and disaster day or night when the safety of our lives or homes is in jeopardy.

On the occasion of International Firefighters Day 4th May it is important that we recognize those who daily risk and sometimes forfeit their lives to help their community.

The Service pays rich tribute to great sacrifice of firefighters of Ghakhar Plaza disaster. These are our heroes of the nation, who set an example of devotion dedication and bravery during the rescue and firefighters operation at Ghakhar Plaza.

In this regard District Rawalpindi rescuers & firefighters will also demonstrate firefighting skills in a mock exercise on 4th May, at Central Rescue Station and after that they will pray for souls of Martyrs of Ghakhar Plaza.

The second purpose of observing this Day to sensitize community to ensure fire safety standards in their buildings to build safer communities in Pakistan.

The Director General, said Emergency Service are always ready to help the community on first call but the same time community should play their role to build safer Pakistan.

He further said that we need to take Disaster Risk Management as culture for developing safer communities in Pakistan. (PPI)

Source: The News, Pakistan

“We have all the praise for the tremendous sacrifices offered by all those brave fire fighters who could never be deterred by the blazing fire and disasters from time to time. Fire prevention and the need for more intensive and thorough training is one of the main aspects of International Fire Fighters Day,” he said, adding that fire fighters and their agencies around the world were constantly stressing fire prevention.

He expressed these views while addressing a ceremony held on Thursday in connection with IFFD.

The ceremony was attuned by Rescue 1122 rescuers and many other people belonging to various walks of life.

Ghulam said that the practice was not common in Pakistan focus for proper training was one that needs to be meet, and therefore IFFD is an opportunity to do exactly this.

“Individuals who seek out a career in fire fighting do not do so to become wealthy. Considering the personal risk and sacrifices fire fighters make on a regular basis, their salaries are relatively meagre. Many volunteer fire fighters provide their valuable services at no charge – just wanting to give back to their towns and cities while receiving on-the-job training” he said.

Needless to say, fighting fires was intense, difficult, and very dangerous work fire fighters exercised daily and participate in special training drills to ensure that they were physically ready to meet their arduous tasks when the alarm sounds, he added.

Source: The Nation, Pakistan

Senior firefighter Paul Harrington from the Adelaide Metropolitan Fire Service (Brett Williamson - ABC Adelaide)

In 1985, after years of jumping between short-term jobs, Paul applied for the for a firefighter’s position at the MFS.

Passing a year of training and selection criteria, Paul started his career in February 1986.

“That’s when my whole world opened up.”

Paul had found more than a job.

He’d found a home, he’d found a family, and he had found a group of men and women that every day he can trust with his life.

The early days

When Paul first began with the MFS, firemen (the first woman joined the Adelaide crew in the following year) would race to scenes on converted trucks in drill cotton work wear, donning plastic hard hats, and attempt to tackle urban fires.

In the years since, women now run beside the men, the clothing and personal protective equipment is state of the art, and fire fighting vehicles have become custom built machines able to transport around 3,000 litres of water and specialised equipment to do everything from freeing people from tangled vehicle wreckages to containing hazardous chemical spills.

Over the years the expectation of a firefighter has also changed.

They are now trained to be the primary controllers of a fire scene, attend road crash incidents, conduct search and rescue operations, be able to carry out abseil rescue operations and even mentor young fire offenders.

It’s a career that manages to still challenge Paul on a daily basis, some 25 years later.

St Florian’s Day

Firefighters around the world pause on St Florian’s Day to remember those that did not make it back to the firehouse.

For the Adelaide MFS, training and equipment mean firefighting teams are now in touch with all members of their crew at all times.

Packs can monitor the exact location of each firefighter in an incident, and tell if the crew members are in trouble from data sent through their individual locators.

As the technology and training has increased, the exposure to risk has become more finely managed.

“Saying that though, every now and then you do get clobbered by ceiling tiles,” Paul said.

“It doesn’t happen all that often, but when it does, it rattles your fillings a little bit.”

International Firefighters Day is a day that Paul uses to remember those that he could not save.

The people found trapped inside their homes, caught by a fire, or the people who pass away on the side of the road at a vehicle accident.

“It’s those that die when we are trying to rescue them, when we are trying to cut the vehicle from them,” Paul remembers.

“That’s very, very hard on the crews, it’s hard on the ambulance people, it’s hard on everybody.”

Paul’s voice starts to waver as he talks about the times the crews are called to a fire at an elderly persons home at night.

“It always seems more surreal at night.”

The neighbours have told emergency services there is an elderly person inside.

The fire crews breakdown the front door and discover the person deceased, trapped inside.

The teams carry the person out of the house and provide CPR until ambulance officers advise them that all life is gone.

“We’re very good at saving people, but we’re not very good at losing people, and that puts a real downer on people for quite some time.”

Another change Paul has witnessed over the past 25 years is the level of support and counselling now offered to staff who are involved in traumatising events.

When the heads bow

As the flags are lowered to half mast, the heads bow and firefighters observe their moment of silence, Paul will also used the time to reflect on the lives he has been able to change for the better.

The people that we resuscitated at the scene of a fire.

The people he has been able to remove from the tangled mess of an accident scene.

“I like to think of the good things we’ve done.

“It’s very easy to take a step back, become pessimistic, and think about the people we have lost, but that is not good for your heart, it is not good for your head, and it doesn’t do the fire service any good either.”

It’s also a day when he tries to remember the lighter side of the job.

The animals rescued from trees, and returned to the arms of delighted owners.

Surprisingly, after 25 years of service, Paul is yet to meet or be personally thanked by someone he has rescued.

They often receive information back from the ambulance paramedics that a patient has made a great recovery or is receiving treatment, the odd card is sent to the station, but he is yet to actually have someone he has saved called in to simply say hello or offer a thank you.

“Quite often we just don’t hear about that person with all of those severe injuries that we pulled out of their smashed car, or the old lady that we pulled out of her burning home.”

It’s not something that Paul expects, but it does seem somewhat sad.

It’s the cards that the station receives with written messages and drawings from a person’s children that really touch the heart of the senior firefighter.

“That’s really special actually, that’s something that we really hold dear to us, that this little kid now isn’t going to be an orphan, or is not going to grow up without a mum or a dad.

“That’s pure gold actually,” Paul adds with a smile.

Thankfully the South Australian Fire Service has not lost a large number of firefighters, but something to be even more thankful for is the number of men and women who continue to risk their lives each day for the safety of others.

May 4 is the feast day of St Florian, the patron saint of firefighters and chimney sweeps.

Source: ABC Brisbane, Australia

It was instituted after proposal emailed out across the world on January 4, 1999 due to the deaths of five firefighters in tragic circumstances in a wildfire in Australia.

May 4 used to be a traditional Firefighters’ Day in many European countries, because it is the day of Saint Florian, patron saint of firefighters.

Sometimes that dedication is in the form of countless hours volunteered over many years, in others it is many selfless years working in the industry. In all cases it risks the ultimate sacrifice of a firefighter’s life.

International Firefighters’ Day (IFFD) is a time where the world’s community can recognize and honour the sacrifices that firefighters make to ensure that their communities and environment are as safe as possible.

It is also a day in which current and past firefighters can be thanked for their contributions.

International Firefighters’ Day are invited to remember the past firefighters who have died while serving our community or dedicated their lives to protecting the safety of us all.

By proudly wearing and displaying blue and red ribbons pinned together or by participating in a memorial or recognition event, show our gratitude to firefighters everywhere.

The IFFD ribbons are linked to colours symbolic of the main elements firefighters work with red for fire and blue for water. These colours also are internationally recognized as representing emergency service.

Source: The News Tribe, UK

It was instituted after proposal emailed out across the world on January 4, 1999 due to the deaths of five firefighters in tragic circumstances in a wildfire in Australia.

May 4 used to be a traditional Firefighters’ Day in many European countries, because it is the day of Saint Florian, patron saint of firefighters.

Sometimes that dedication is in the form of countless hours volunteered over many years, in others it is many selfless years working in the industry. In all cases it risks the ultimate sacrifice of a firefighter’s life.

International Firefighters’ Day (IFFD) is a time where the world’s community can recognize and honour the sacrifices that firefighters make to ensure that their communities and environment are as safe as possible.

It is also a day in which current and past firefighters can be thanked for their contributions.

International Firefighters’ Day are invited to remember the past firefighters who have died while serving our community or dedicated their lives to protecting the safety of us all.

By proudly wearing and displaying blue and red ribbons pinned together or by participating in a memorial or recognition event, show our gratitude to firefighters everywhere.

The IFFD ribbons are linked to colours symbolic of the main elements firefighters work with red for fire and blue for water. These colours also are internationally recognized as representing emergency service. (APP)

Source: The News, Pakistan

Why not plan the year ahead and download your free IFFD Calendar for 2012 now?

The calendar can be printed in A3 or A4 size; or personalise it first with your important dates on your computer and then print it out.

The 2012 Annual IFFD Calendar was created and proudly sponsored by JMJ – EA for a Day.

St. Florian is the Patron Saint of Firefighters and to coincide with this day, and International Firefighters Day, CFA holds a Memorial Service each year, on the closest Sunday to 4 May.

This year’s service, on Sunday 1 May, was held at Fiskville where a Memorial Wall is dedicated to the men and women of CFA who have lost their lives while serving their communities. The wall was established following the Ash Wednesday fires of 1983 and includes 65 plaques showing the name, fire brigade and date of the incident of each CFA firefighter who has lost their life since the inception of the organisation in 1944.

CFA Chief Officer Euan Ferguson said St Florian’s Day forms part of an important commemoration of remembrance of firefighters, worldwide, who have lost their lives in the pursuit of safety of fellow members of the community.

“This Memorial Service ensures that service and sacrifice of those CFA members who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty will never be forgotten,” Mr Ferguson said.

“It also allows an opportunity for family members, friends and brigade members to come together and remember those who are no longer with us and is a poignant reminder of the risks in our industry that everyday, people face when they turn out to a job.”

This year’s Memorial Service was also attended by the Red Knights – a social motorcycle group, made up of CFA members.

Secretary of the Craigieburn chapter of the group, Joseph Giarrusso, said it’s the first time the Red Knights have attended the event.

“We thought being firefighters ourselves that the Memorial Service would be a great thing to be able to attend, so we sent two representatives from each chapter – 10 in total – and the feedback from those who attended has been really positive; they were all stoked to be able to be there and felt privileged to be a part of it,” Mr Giarrusso said.

While the Red Knights is established in about 12 countries, the Craigieburn group started the trend in Victoria and in its two years of running, has grown to include more than 100 members. Chapters have expanded to Bendigo, Geelong and Seymour and plans are underway to start up new groups.

“The group is purely a social thing but each chapter also runs their own fundraising events,” Mr Giarrusso said.

“Chapter 1 in Craigieburn has in the past raised money for burns unit at the Alfred Hospitaland there’s other groups that donate for things such as prostate cancer.”

Red Knights also host a Ride to the Hills, with members travelling from Albert Park inMelbourne, to Whittlesea to raise money for emergency service organisations.

First held in 2010, the event was established to mark the first anniversary of the Black Saturday bushfires, with $16,000 raised for CFA and SES stations directly affected by the fires.

Photos by Blair Dellemijn – CFA Strategic Communications.

Source: CFA Connect, Australia

The celebrations will start at 10:00 with firefighters from around the peninsula participating in a vehicle parade from the Keizersgracht to the Good Hope Centre.

The parade will start in front of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, move into Darling Street, turn right into Lower Buitenkant Street and then left into Strand Street before proceeding into Adderley Street. From there, it will head left into Adderley Street, to turn left into Darling Street and proceed along Sir Lowry Road, where it will end in the parking area of the Good Hope Centre.

After the parade, firefighters will form a guard of honour inside the centre. Other activities include march passes, drills and a medal parade. Various speakers will address the audience, including the City’s Chief Fire Officer, Ian Schnetler.

Date: Wednesday 04 May
Time: 11:00 – 14:00 (official programme starts)
Venue: Good Hope Centre, Cape Town
All media are invited to attend. This event will present an excellent photo opportunity.

The Cape Winelands Fire Services, West Coast Fire Services, Stellenbosch Fire Services, Breede Valley Fire Services and the organisation Working on Fire, will also participate in the event.

International Firefighters Day is celebrated on 04 May because it is the day of St Florian, the Patron Saint of Firefighters. It was instituted in 1999 to honour firefighters after five Australian firefighters died in a wildland fire.

One of the most significant symbols of International Firefighters Day is the distinctive red and blue ribbon. It is cut precisely five centimeters long and one centimeter wide, with the two separate colors joined at the top. The red in the ribbon symbolises the element of fire, while the blue symbolises the water which firefighters use to extinguish fires.

Source: City of Cape Town, South Africa

May is a month of many celebrations. There is mother’s day and teacher’s day but did you know that the International Firefighters’ Day (Hari Bomba Sedunia as it is locally known) also falls in the Month of May? It falls on 4th May each year.

In conjuction with the Hari Bomba Sedunia 2010, our firefighters are having a month long Bomba Awareness Month. My boy’s kindy was recently treated to a free visit to the Bomba. I tagged along. 

I must say that I was really impressed with our Bomba. The firefighters we met were very hospitable and gracious hosts. They were very good with the children. They gave a talk to the children about fire safety dos and don’ts. I learned some fire safety tips too. I’ll get to these later.

They posed gamely with the children for photos, they let the children play with the equipment, sit in the fire engine and other vehicles. They carried the children in and out of the vehicles patiently one or a few at a time. They invited everyone to the food they had prepared. They gave away souveneirs.

There was even a book for very young children on colouring, ABCs, matching and other activities all on fire safety related topics and subjects. A very good way to start, by educating the young about fire safety. They told the children their job is to help people and the ones we met (there were quite a few) all had that quality in them. They looked dedicated to their job of helping others.

International Firefighters’ Day is to mark a time when Firefighters of the present and past are remembered, recognised and thanked for their dedication in saving lives and protecting the environment.

Fire Safety Tip #1: Did you know that you have to call only one number that is 999 to reach the ambulance, police and firestation (Previously there were separate numbers for each department). And did you know that the equivalent for 999 on a cell phone or handphone is 112? Yes, please go and save 112 on your handphone today. You can call that number even if your phone has run out of credits.

Fire Safety Tip #2: Remember to make a duplicate set of your home grill keys, then decide and place it in a place you can easily reach in the event of a fire.

Fire Safety Tip #3: If the clothing that you are wearing is on fire, try to put it out with water. If water is unavailable, try to stop, drop and roll. If you try to remove your clothing while it is on fire, you may inadvertently remove parts of your skin as well.

Fire Safety Tip #4: Install a smoke detector. It may help you get out of your house before it is too late.

Fire Safety Tip #5: It is useful to have at least 2 torchlights in your house. Keep them at the same place so that you can get to them easily in case of a power failure. Then get out of the house for a meal or whatever and by the time you return, power may be restored, instead of staying in and using candles to light up your home.

Source: Mums Gather, USA.