Rescue operation to save a new-born child from a toilet tank in Kimara area after it had been dropped there by its mother suspectedly disposing of it for financial and social reasons. The baby was successfully recovered and taken to hospital by a police patrol.
Meeting to discuss issues of social welfare of fire staff, such as maternity, vacation and healthcare support. After having listened to the lively discussion for a while I asked the chairman if he would mind my taking pictures. I had my camera brought by a colleague and took some pictures while statements were being held and discussed. Sometimes debate was fierce but in the end everybody appeard reconciled and the final statement was received with relieved laughter and smiles. The chairman shook my hand and reminded my not to forget my camera bag.
24th May 2016
Firefighting training, Kinondoni Fire Station, Dar es Salaam
Power Line Short Circuit in Mbagala Area
Fire in a Power Station in Mbagala Area
Recovery of a Dead Body in Manzese Area
Four or five persons (different media reports) killed in a landslide destroying one home in Kawe, Kinondoni District of Dar es Salaam
Fire and Rescue Force retrieving one dead body from the rubble
Frisbee East Africa Sand Tournament (FEAST) / Mombasa / New Vehicles
Sitting at our front door at night, watching passing people and cars. Since the road in front of our house features one of the worst speeding bumps in Dar es Salaam it is always an adventure to watch cars passing it more or less successfully. As it got darker, shadows drew closer, cars became stripes of light that cast long shadows when their beams met people and objects. When looking at my familiar neighborhood through my camera, it gains new details and stories start to unfold. I offered the children a torch when they were searching something in the trench next to the road. They did not need my help since another man joined them. My Kiswahili did not reach far enough to understand what they were looking for. But for me it felt good interacting with them and not just being an observer.
Breathing apparatus training for a small group of firefighters
Intensified practice for technical problems
Exercises for mentally preparing BA wearers to respond calmly to emergencies
In many cases visibility inside buildings is very low. Therefore it is necessary to train carrying out routine tasks without having to look at equipment and colleagues. The exercise also helps improving orientation which is important to find the way back in case of an emergency.
As the firefighter’s own safety comes first, rescuing injured or unconscious colleagues is an important skill to be obtained. A firefighter wearing full gear can easily weigh 100 kgs. In this picture I served as a victim. Being dragged along is very relaxing while pulling a colleague away from the danger zone is hard work.
For dragging persons different techniques can be used. The instructor shows how to pull an injured firefighter downstairs. When dragging a colleague outside you are very aware of the distance still to go. Being pulled out of the building myself I quickly lost orientation being put on the ground several times and then dragged again.
Working in confined spaces is dangerous and mentally challenging. To withstand stress when being stuck or not immediately finding a way to escape is important for safe work. Inside a special box construction called smoke chamber these situations can be trained safely.
A 300 bar air cylinder can provide its wearer with air for up to 54 minutes. Finally taking off the face mask after exercise is always a relief. In this exercise I was stuck for three minutes at the very end of the smoke chamber route because I was unable to remove a fire hose serving as a guiding rope from the space between helmet and cylinder while trying to move forward.
Some firefighters had only worn BA once before this training unit. Most coped very well with the new situation, showing strength and resilience. After finishing the program on Friday they will be valuable members of the fire squad. I was not on the picture since I was heading to another appointment. Looking into my colleagues‘ faces I regret not sitting at their side.
Exercise at the fire station to train the use of hydraulic rescue tools
Hydraulic cutting and spreading tools are used to gain access to injured persons after traffic accidents. Hydraulic spreaders help to force doors open when the vehicle is deformed by the impact of the crash. Using hydraulic cutters firefighters can efficiently open cars by cutting off beams and other parts of the superstructure in order to rescue injured people. Since the machines are operated at an oil pressure of 800 bar within the system training is required to handle the force and the dangers posed by wielding these powerful tools. The exercise was carried out under perfectly controlled conditions and it can be hoped that the firefighters will be able to transfer their skills to a much more chaotic and challenging roadside situation they may encounter in the future.
Fire at a house in Mbagala area
Quickly setting out after alert
Public address system and rather disciplined behaviour of other drivers letting the firefighters advance rather quickly
Due to 15km distance from the fire station to the scene 25 minutes delay from alarm to arrival
Fire already put out on arrival
Assisting in cooling the affected part of the building
Technical problems with fire engine on the way to the stadium
Facing trouble evacuating ca. 13 people from different incidents during the second half as resuce staff consist of only four firefighters
Result: Simba vs. Yanga – 0:2
