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 →