London Fire Brigade firefighters train first responders in Malawi
Three firefighters from the London Fire Brigade have helped train first responders in Malawi how to be better prepared to tackle flood emergencies.The trio's deployment comes after Tropical Storm Freddy ripped through southern Africa, killing hundreds of people, two years ago.About 60 Malawian delegates spent a fortnight learning skills, including how to treat people who have been in the water for a long time, search and rescue response coordination and how to perform water rescues from a power boat.Ian Simpson, the brigade's International Search and Rescue (ISAR) coordinator, said he was always ready to share his skills "to help save lives".
The station commander was part of the UK's ISAR team that flew out to Malawi in March 2023 to help with the cyclone rescue efforts.He said he felt he had "built an affinity with the people and the country" and the latest visit was a "real opportunity to add value"."It's a country accustomed to having lots of rain and cyclone seasons, but Cyclone Freddy was the longest-lasting tropical storm on record lasting for 36 days," he said."Sadly, with climate change, this type of disaster is probably going to be more prevalent in many parts of the world."
Mr Simpson was joined by station officer Alastair Hislop, who had accompanied him on the deployment to Bangula in southern Malawi two years ago, and firefighter Sarah Mimnagh.The training took place on the shores of Lake Malawi in the eastern region.
"We taught local agencies about disaster risk management but also how to be more strategic with resources when a disaster, like floods, hit," said Mr Simpson."The teams we met out there were really receptive to our expertise and were fully engaged in everything we had to teach them both on the boats and in the classroom."Mr Simpson, who has been part of the UK ISAR team for five years, added: "It sounds like a cliché but being able to help people really is the reason for doing this type of work."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
14 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Huge blaze engulfs warehouse with smoke visible for miles as urgent warning issued to locals & firefighters battle fire
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN ENORMOUS fire has engulfed a warehouse sending smoke billowing into the sky tonight. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has issued urgent warnings to locals to keep their windows and doors shut as around 80 firefighters tackle the devastating blaze at the two-storey warehouse in Enfield, north London. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 An enormous blaze as engulfed a two-storey warehouse in Enfield, north London Credit: Thomas Bowles 6 The fire is sending thick smoke - visible from miles away - high into the sky Credit: Thomas Bowles 6 At present, around 80 firefighters and 12 fire engines are tackling the inferno Credit: Thomas Bowles Residents have even reported seeing smoke rising high into the night sky from miles away. At present, 12 fire engines are fighting the blaze which is "currently producing a greater amount of smoke", LFB said. The emergency service added that it expects its crews to be at the scene for several hours. Dramatic footage shows a number of fire engines surrounding the warehouse as smoke billows high above into the night sky. Read More on UK News TRAIN PAIN Moment fare dodger tells rail ticket inspectors 'don't touch me' in tense clash In the background, ambulances can also be seen parked nearby - it is currently not known if there have been any injuries from the blaze. The fire can also be seen slowly creeping its way through the roof of the structure - which appears to have caved in - sending even more smoke high above the warehouse. Surrounding the burning structure are a number of other buildings, including one bearing branding from supermarket Tesco while another appears to belong to delivery company Yodel. Cars can also be seen driving along the M25 motorway just metres away from the blaze. Countless locals have taken to social media to share pictures of the fire, with some images showing the inferno sending smoke upwards in large dark plumes. LFB said its crews received the first of around 30 calls at approximately 8.05pm on Saturday evening. A massive fire has broken out in a skyscraper in Dubai Fire crews were then deployed from a number of stations across London in order to tackle the inferno, including from Enfield, Edmonton, Chingford and Woodford, the force said. It added that its crews are being assisted by Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service and Essex County Fire & Rescue Service. Two 32-metre turntable ladders from Tottenham and Soho fire stations have also been utilised, LFB added. They are being "used as a water tower to help extinguish the fire from above". 6 One nearby resident posted an image showing the sheer scale of the flames during the blaze Credit: X 6 The London Fire Brigade says it expects to be at the scene for several hours Credit: X 6 Thick smoke making its way out of the burning warehouse Credit: X LFB said it has also deployed a "Hose Layer Unit" as part of its response, helping to increase the amount of water available for firefighting operations. In a statement on Saturday evening, LFB confirmed that the cause of the devastating blaze was not yet known. Mollison Avenue, the road leading to the warehouses, has been shut, with diversion routes now in place. In an update posted shortly after midnight, Enfield Council said the fire was now "contained".
The Sun
14 hours ago
- The Sun
Huge blaze engulfs warehouse with smoke visible for miles as urgent warning issued to locals & firefighters battle fire
Milad Sherzad, News Reporter Published: Invalid Date, AN ENORMOUS fire has engulfed a warehouse sending smoke billowing into the sky tonight. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has issued urgent warnings to locals to keep their windows and doors shut as around 80 firefighters tackle the devastating blaze at the two-storey warehouse in Enfield, north London. 6 6 6 Residents have even reported seeing smoke rising high into the night sky from miles away. At present, 12 fire engines are fighting the blaze which is "currently producing a greater amount of smoke", LFB said. The emergency service added that it expects its crews to be at the scene for several hours. Dramatic footage shows a number of fire engines surrounding the warehouse as smoke billows high above into the night sky. In the background, ambulances can also be seen parked nearby - it is currently not known if there have been any injuries from the blaze. The fire can also be seen slowly creeping its way through the roof of the structure - which appears to have caved in - sending even more smoke high above the warehouse. Surrounding the burning structure are a number of other buildings, including one bearing branding from supermarket Tesco while another appears to belong to delivery company Yodel. Cars can also be seen driving along the M25 motorway just metres away from the blaze. Countless locals have taken to social media to share pictures of the fire, with some images showing the inferno sending smoke upwards in large dark plumes. LFB said its crews received the first of around 30 calls at approximately 8.05pm on Saturday evening. Fire crews were then deployed from a number of stations across London in order to tackle the inferno, including from Enfield, Edmonton, Chingford and Woodford, the force said. It added that its crews are being assisted by Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service and Essex County Fire & Rescue Service. Two 32-metre turntable ladders from Tottenham and Soho fire stations have also been utilised, LFB added. They are being "used as a water tower to help extinguish the fire from above". 6 6 6 LFB said it has also deployed a "Hose Layer Unit" as part of its response, helping to increase the amount of water available for firefighting operations. In a statement on Saturday evening, LFB confirmed that the cause of the devastating blaze was not yet known. Mollison Avenue, the road leading to the warehouses, has been shut, with diversion routes now in place. In an update posted shortly after midnight, Enfield Council said the fire was now "contained".
The Independent
04-06-2025
- The Independent
Londoners warned to keep doors and windows closed after 70 firefighters rush to Erith blaze
Families have been told to their keep doors and windows shut as a huge fire at an industrial yard continues to produce large amounts of smoke. Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters tackled the blaze on Manor Road, Erith, in east London. Five cars, one lorry and a single-story outbuilding were involved in the fire. London Fire Brigade said due to high amounts of smoke, residents in the local area have been advised to keep doors and windows shut where possible. Crews received the first of more than 20 calls reporting the fire just after 4am this morning. Fire engines from Plumstead, Erith, Bexley and surrounding fire stations were sent to the scene. Crews from Kent Fire and Rescue Service also attended this incident and were able to bring the fire under control by 7am. 'Firefighters deployed a Hose Layer and High Volume Pump as part of their response, increasing the amount of water available for firefighting operations. A 32-metre turntable ladder was used as a water tower to help extinguish the fire from above,' London Fire Brigade said. 'The brigade also deployed a drone to provide the Incident Commander with a greater situational awareness of the fire. 'A number of cylinders were removed from the vicinity of the fire and cooled to an ambient temperature by crews.'
