August 29, 2011 in General
Have you ever thought of joining a volunteer organisation?
Have you ever imagined what saving a life could feel like?
The EmergencyFire&RescueUnit (EFRU) is embarking on a recruitment campaign as it looksto Read the rest of this entry →
August 22, 2011 in General
The Emergency Fire & Rescue Unit was part of the humanitarian mission which saw 620 Libyan refugees, stranded in Tunisia, being rescued and taken backhomeafterhavingfled Misurata and Benghazi in the thick of war.
The group of 26 medics and officials, whichincluded Read the rest of this entry →
August 22, 2011 in General
Zvetlana Zerafa – (EFRU Volunteer Rescuer) has been recently qualified and been given the Award of Merit, Silver Cross and Life Support3afterhavingcompleted a number of tasks, demanded from her by the Royal Lifesaving Society,with Read the rest of this entry →
June 6, 2011 in General
The Emergency Fire and Rescue Unit and the Soccorsi Speciali – Edelweiss have given a true meaning to their frequent collaboration by signing a twinning agreement. The Signing washeldonthe29th May at the Sede Operativa Edelweiss in Badolato Italy.
The twinning agreement sets provisions for the mutualassistance Read the rest of this entry →
May 10, 2011 in General
In line with the Community Assistance Program, members of the ‘Emergency Fire & Rescue Unit’ have again provided first aid and fireprotectionatthe7th edition of the “Puttinu Cares – Children’s Cancer Support Group”football Read the rest of this entry →
May 5, 2011 in General
The last day of the four day K9 Handling course, organised by the Malta Civil Protection Department under the supervision of Mr. John Gera, was packed with training activities and lectures.
Throughout the course, Keith and Carol Warwick gavetheK9Handlersvaluable information on a variety of topics, including how to identify certain communication signals used by dogs, and how to recognise when theyare Read the rest of this entry →
March 17, 2011 in General
The Emergency Fire & Rescue Unit (EFRU) have assisted popular TV program‘Venere’withoneof their photo shootsthemed Read the rest of this entry →
March 15, 2011 in General
The Emergency Fire & Rescue Unit (EFRU) have again proved to be a solid shoulder for the Civil Protection Departmenttorelyonduring the evacuation process of foreign citizens from Libyaby Read the rest of this entry →
February 17, 2011 in General
The Emergency Fire & Rescue Unit (E.F.R.U.) has participated, and successfully completed, a three day course held by the Civil Protection Department (CPD) on Urban Search and Rescue (USAR). Volunteers from EFRU, CPD, Red Cross (Malta) and Soccorsi Speciali – Edelweiss (Italy) participated and worked together in various rescue scenarios prepared by the CPD Course Director–Mr.JohnGera assisted by other appointed officials from the department.
The recently renovated K9 USAR Section premises at Ta’ Kandja were a hive of activity with more than 30 volunteers from the mentioned rescue teams training hard in theCPD Read the rest of this entry →
November 25, 2010 in General
In the event of a national emergency, rescue workers seem to fall from the sky to provide services of fire control and salvaging casualties. The men who do this vital job put in many hours of training and dedicate their lives to this all-important service. Ivan Barbara, Martin Aquilina and Sandro Camilleri talk to Rachel Zammit Cutajar about their lives in the Emergency Fire and Rescue Unit.
Ivan Barbara, Martin Aquilina and Sandro Camilleri are but three of a group of 35 volunteers dedicated to saving lives whenever disaster strikes. The Emergency Fire and Rescue Unit (EFRU) is an NGO dedicated to assisting the Civil Protection Department in cases of national emergency.
They also offer their services, against a donation, to any establishment organising an event of mass gathering including concerts, sporting activities and the like. Prior to the event they provide an assessment of the area, supplying recommendations for fire prevention and to ensure safety of the crowds. They also provide first aid services on the day of the event, when necessary.
EFRU also aid other non-profit organisations sustaining their activities free of charge. They provide free fire prevention awareness and other trainingtoensuresafetyat the event.
They are also active in fund-raising events for other charities. The EFRU cycle for charity event has been organised for the past three years to support a number of different charities including Puttinu Cares – a charity for terminally ill children – Inspire and the Hospice Movement.
All three of the volunteers come from voluntary backgrounds. Each spent a happy childhood as part of The Scouts Association.
“We loved the adventure of being part of the Scouts. As we grew older however there is very little you can do if you remain part of the association, aside from look after the young Scouts. So from there we moved to a more socially responsible role and spent 15 years with a rescue organisation.
“Following a change in management and various shortcomings we could notaccept, Read the rest of this entry →
