The Emergency Fire & Rescue Unit were requested to assist the Civil Protection Department, yesterday, at the Drop Chemicals Factory fire in Mriehel.

A unit from EFRU was deployed within minutes and upon arrival assisted the CPD in fighting the flames that engulfed the three storey building for most of the day.

Thousands of gallons of water were used before the fire died down at about 4.00pm.

Luckily no one was hurt but clouds of black smoke could be seen from various parts of the island. The Civil Protection department evacuated a number of buildings within a 100 meter radius as a precaution against the fumes.

EFRU volunteers were given a stand down by the Civil Protection Department at 7.00pm when the situation was clear.

Over 150 volunteer rescuers took part in a well organized, real life scenario, rescue operation lead by CPD Operations Manager Mr. John Gera in the presence of CPD Director Mr. Patrick Murgo. During this very hectic day, EFRU volunteers were involved in different roles namely; K9 Searches, Search & Rescue operations and the overall safety observation of the exercise. Having two Rescue Response Vehicles on site, and two teams of 12 volunteer rescuers, which included six from the Italian rescue team Edelweiss Soccorsi Speciali, in the ‘hot zone’; our team rescued and retrieving all casualties in the least time possible and with the efficiency expected by the CPD personnel.

The rescue operation came to an end late in the evening with a positive applause by the organizers and presentation of certificates to all the participants.

Invaluable experience was gathered during this exercise, which saw the unit working together, once again, with our Italian counterparts. Such training furthers EFRU’s capabilities and skills to perform in a multilingual rescue scenario both inMaltaor abroad.

EFRU Director Ivan Barbara’s look of satisfaction said it all but in a short briefing after the eventful day; he expressed his gratitude to all the team and thanked each and every volunteer for their hard work, perseverance and flexibility in conquering all challenges whether technical or logistical. ‘The training and time invested in our organization during the year reaps its fruit in such large operations. Am more than satisfied with the unit’s performance and teamwork shown on the field today’ exclaimed Mr. Barbara to those that still found some strength to return to the EFRU Headquarters in Marsa to lend a helping hand with the dismantling of the gear used during the day.

One of the mentioned teams was situated in Republic Street, further down from St. Georges Square. This team was equipped with the unit’s ambulance to provide First Aid to those that required assistance in its vicinity. A second team was posted near ‘Auberge de Castille’ with the intention of offering immediate assistance to the heavy crowds that were expected to flood the Ambassadors’ and Cabinet rooms, the Office of the Prime Minister and the new and previously secluded sections of the Auberge’s basement cellar. A third team, the unit’s fire team, was posted at IndependenceSquare next to the oldest of the seven Auberges – ‘Auberge D’ Aragon’. This team was equipped with a Bedford Fire Engine, loaned to EFRU by the CPD, and was on standby to assist in any fire related accident that may have happened. The Fire Team was also equipped with a First Aid Kit and a number of stretchers just in case any of those attending the event, at Independence Square, needed their help.

Thankfully enough, the Fire Team was the quietest of the three as no fires were recorded during the event; whilst the other two teams only reported minor First Aid assistance, mostly requested by those who were finalising the preparations earlier in the night.

For this event, EFRU deployed two units, SAR1 and MEDIC 1. Being in the leading vehicle, SAR 1 was responsible for marking the route for the contestants whilst keeping vigil for their safety as well as controlling the heavy traffic at certain accident black spots. MEDIC 1 made use of the unit’s ambulance and tailed the participants during the event. Whilst it made sure that no one was left behind unattended, it was also prepared to respond in the event of any emergency situation. MEDIC 1 was equipped to attend and transport 2 casualties at any time.

Fortunately,no serious injuries were reported, during the progression of this one day event. The EFRU First Aiders, who were purposely equipped for sports injuries, did however attend to minor muscle pains and strains on the spot. EFRU has been tagged as the Official Rescue Team for Puttinu.  Thus, apart from this yearly triathlon event, EFRU also provides its services during the annual three day football marathon, held every March, and during the walk organised by the staff of Corradino Correctional Facilities. In addition to the above, and in line with the Community Assistance Program (CAP), EFRU has also organised a 140KM cycling tour in Sicily donating all the proceeds to Puttinu. This was the first from three cycling tours organised to date by EFRU; the other two being in aid of Inspire and the Malta Hospice Movement respectively.

Have you ever imagined what saving a life could feel like?

The Emergency Fire & Rescue Unit (EFRU) is embarking on a recruitment campaign as it looks to enrol a number of volunteers willing to be fully trained for the field or assist in the administration of the unit. The management has launched this drive with the hope of strengthening further it’s assistance to Civil Protection Department as well as to create more awareness, through the different programs it offers, to the public in general.
If you are over 18 years of age, energetic and adventurous than join EFRU and be part of our family. A recruitment meeting will be held on Saturday 3rd September 2011 at 1400hrs at the Emergency Fire & Rescue Unit’s premises at Shipwright Wharf Marsa.

The twinning agreement sets provisions for the mutual assistance between the two volunteer units.  The units can be jointly deployed either in Malta or in Italy under the leadership of the host organization.  This can be necessitated in a national calamity when the country resources are stretched to the limits. The document also makes provisions for joint training with the purpose to standardize training and to create the synergy needed when working as one team.  Both Volunteers units can also be deployed as a single unit beyond the Maltese and Italian frontiers as the need arises as a rapid deployment unit in major disasters.

The signing was the highlight of a five day visit by 9 E.F.R.U. volunteers who formed part of a 14 strong Maltese contingent.   During this visit the Maltese contingent and another 18 Italian volunteers took part in various Swift Water rescue exercises.  All these were held at the Fiume Lao in Cosenza.

The Maltese contingent who consisted of 9 EFRU volunteers, 1 Red Cross volunteer, 2 CPD Malta staff, a CPD volunteer and the course director- reached Reggio Calabria on the 26th of May 2011 where they were greeted by the Edelweiss Director. Afterwards they were accompanied to the Edelweiss premises to meet the other Course participants. The 32 participants attended two theory sessions on Swift Water Rescue, using special techniques, delivered by Edelweiss instructor Francesco Battista and course director Mr John Gera, at the Edelweiss headquarters in Badolato, prior to the practical training planned for the following days.

On the following morning at 06.30 the contingent of 32 Civil Protection volunteers and officers travelled to Scalea to reach River Lao, the training grounds for this course. All participants, geared up, were introduced to swift water through aggressive and defensive swimming that form the basis of manoeuvring in swift currents. Participants took part in several different rescue simulations, led by Edelweiss officers, under the overall supervision of Mr John Gera. The training course was split over two days with an overnight camp set up next to the river.

Safety was paramount, due to the inherent risks of this type of rescue training. Safety officers were placed at key points throughout the simulations, and qualified Swift Water rescuers and the Edelweiss doctor accompanied the contingent.

On Sunday, a presentation was organised at Edelweiss headquarters where certificates for .Swift Water Rescue Training (Special Techniques)’ were presented to all participants, in recognition of their successful completion of the course. The certificates were issued by the Malta and Italian Civil Protection; and were presented by Mr John Gera and Edelweiss President Mariella Licari. Also for the first time, 2 Malta CPD staff LARO Anton Micallef, ARO Geoffrey Galea, CPD Volunteer Neville Camilleri, E.F.R.U. Director Ivan Barbara and 2 Edelweiss volunteers Giuseppe Perronace and Francesco Battista were certified as Team Leaders in water rescue.

The highlight of this evening was the signing of a protocol of agreement, between the Maltese E.F.R.U. and the Italian Edelweiss, This protocol finalised the twinning agreement between both volunteer organisations whereby both agree to assist one another in each other’s territories. This event was followed by a Bar B Q offered to all participants by the Edelweiss Group.

As demonstrated during the presentation night, this activity has been another success in the twinning history of the respective Maltese and Italian volunteers. During the rest of the weekend, all participants were engaged in several team building activities to enhance further the solid relationship that has been built over the years.

The sixty hour marathon started on Friday 6th May 2011 at 10.00 hrs and ended on Sunday 8th May 2011 at 22.00 hrs.

Numerous football teams participated in this marathon and thanks to the first aid provided by the Unit many injured players where treated to minor and not so minor injuries on site thanks to an on-site first aid clinic which was provided by ‘HMK International’ while all consumables were provided by the ‘St. James Hospital’.

Thanks also go to Firetech Ltd, the St. John Ambulance members and the Government Ambulance Garage Division members for providing a voluntary service assisting the E.F.R.U. in this event.