FIRE-AID INTERNATIONAL

BARLAD (ROMANIA) FIRE SERVICE APPEAL

Fire-Aid International is spearheading an appeal to provide fire appliances and equipment for the eastern Romanian town of Barlad where the present military run fire brigade is to be disbanded in the near future in line with EEC legislation - Romania has applied to join the EEC and therefore, to comply with various stipulations, the military is not allowed to run organisations including the fire service.

Barlad lies 150 miles north east of Bucharest and has a population exceeding 100,000. The fire-fighting will be left in the control of the local council when the military moves out and, as finances are very scarce, the recently appointed civilian Chief Fire Officer, Costel Florea, has turned to the British Fire Service for help in setting up an efficient fire and rescue service.

In the first instance, assistance has been given by the Greater Manchester County Fire Service in providing breathing apparatus and initial training for the Chief and other personnel. Now the brigade is requesting appliances and equipment so that a start can be made in responding to fire calls and special services.

Fire-Aid International suggests that a pair of identical fire appliances are supplied with one of them operating as a dedicated pump / rescue tender. Thus, if one appliance breaks down, the second will still be available and if a breakdown occurs on the second machine, then the first can be robbed of parts to keep the second on the run until the necessary parts can be supplied to make both vehicles operational once again - thus a continuous service is maintained.

Naturally the formation of a new brigade will take a great deal of expertise and commitment, both in Romania and the UK, but Fire-Aid International is confident that, given the usual kind of help which is forthcoming from members of the Fire and Rescue Service, the project, and others which are likely to follow, will be a great success.

This is an exciting time for fire-fighters in Romania and it will be most gratifying to watch them progress with your assistance.