The Airport Fire & Rescue Services (AFRS) and the Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency (SFRSA) have once again joined forces to commemorate the International Firefighters’ Day (IFFD).

The two-day activities were officially launched yesterday afternoon by the Minister for Home Affairs and Transport Joel Morgan during a ceremony at the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority’s (SCAA) airport fire service station.

The activities, which continue today, are being held under the theme ‘Together we stand united for the Safety of Seychelles’, which overarches the combined efforts that the two services have built and continue to fortify.

The launch ceremony yesterday was attended by chief fire officer (CFO) Andre Morel, the SCAA’s chief executive Gilbert Faure and other high officials of both the SFRSA and of the SCAA.

In his welcoming speech Minister Morgan paid recognition to the role of firefighters, describing it as one of dedication, commitment and sacrifice to keep our families and our communities safe.

“Everyday you risk your lives to protect ours,” said the minister, adding that the day was a time for all of us to come together to recognise and honour the hard work that our firefighters are doing.  

Minister Morgan also said the government will continue to invest in the fire services to maintain the high standards of operations.
To this effect he made reference to the recently built fire station on La Digue and announced the new one being constructed on Praslin and future ones to be built at Anse Royale and Ile Perseverance on Mahé.

The minister also pointed the need for better utilisation of resources to better coordinate the work of the agency and thanked the US Department of Defence for training offered and provided. 
He ended up by giving a brief history of how and why the day was commemorated, every May 4, all over the world. It came about in January 1999 after the death of five firefighters in a wild fire in Victoria, Australia.

So every May 4, firefighters around the globe remember and celebrate what it means to be a fireman/woman. 
Since the introduction of the event on SCAA’s calendar in 2008, the AFRS have commemorated this date by organising activities with the participation of the SFRSA as honoured guests and respected colleagues. 

Yesterday’s ceremony started with blessings by Pastor Eddy Payet and the airport fire and rescue services held a demonstration based on a scenario of a fire detected in a plane’s cockpit and where the fire service was alerted.

The activities continue today with sports between members of the fire services.

There was also presentation of certificates to all those who have followed training in various fields like Basic Firefighting; Advanced Firefighting; Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting; Restricted Operators’ Certificate of Proficiency in Radio Telephony; Dive Master and Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities with Personal Survival Techniques.
The certificates were presented by Patrick Hoareau, general manager Airport Management, CEO Faure and CFO Morel.

Although International Firefighters Day originated from the deaths of five firefighters, they are not the only aspect of the service recognised. The day also acknowledges the effort of every person in the emergency service career from paramedics, Red Cross, medical staff, media, emergency phone operators and many more. Some of these jobs may seem insignificant but nevertheless contribute to the overall success of emergency response.