ASSISTING FIREFIGHTERS AND EMERGENCY SERVICES WORLDWIDE

摘要

The International Fire and Rescue Association was established in 2002 and is a UK-based charity set up to assist firefighters and emergency services worldwide, writes Chris Kendall, a volunteer for IFRA and firefighter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. IFRA's mission statement is to promote the preservation and protection of life from fire and other disasters, especially in countries that are so affected by war, civil unrest or natural disaster that they are unable to deal with the emergency with their own resources or require assistance on humanitarian grounds. Only a few other agencies or charities specifically target the fire and rescue needs of communities on an international level. The supply of vehicles, equipment and training to limited areas has always happened but this has usually relied on a member of the emergency services in the UK having personal contact with firefighters in the area needing help.