Ethiopian firefighters in Polish suits. PCPM is helping in Auasa
There is a shortage of vehicles, equipment, and skills. “Firefighters from Auasa put out fires in denim and construction helmets or private clothing,” says Bartek Trzaska. The Polish International Aid Center Foundation wants to change the face of the Ethiopian Fire Service.
The fire department is a crucial service. It responds to fires and traffic accidents, helps during floods, and provides first aid. In 130 million Ethiopians, these needs are even greater, but unfortunately, the Fire Service is extremely underfunded and lacks experience. PCPM wants to change that.
Following its success in successfully supporting the development of fire services in Kenya, the PCPM Foundation has begun similar work in neighboring Ethiopia. The Polish Center for International Aid is retrofitting and training local firefighters, emergency medics, and veterinary services. In Ethiopia, which has a population of 130 million, emergency services have very limited resources to bring rescue to life and health emergencies.
Throughout 2024, the Foundation focused on the country’s capital, Addis Ababa, where it spent more than PLN 730,000 to purchase firefighting and medical equipment for Ethiopia. Polish and Kenyan PCPM trainers trained instructors from 11 firefighting units in Addis Ababa and 106 medical personnel and ambulance drivers in pre-hospital care.
Not enough firefighters and equipment
Rapid population growth (the population has increased more than sixfold in 60 years) and uncontrolled urban expansion have dramatically reduced the effectiveness of emergency services while increasing the balance of losses in construction disasters and fires. Natural disasters, such as forest fires and floods, are also taking an increasing toll on East Africa due to climate change.
Although the situation for Ethiopia’s firefighters is heavy, the one in the capital is unmatched in the rest of the country. There are 11 firefighting units stationed in Addis Ababa, while only one is in Auasa, home to 400,000 people.
The unit has only one fire truck and does not even have a fire station. A watchtower with no sanitary facilities is used as a place where firefighters await a fire. Out of the 24 firefighters employed, they had only four incomplete sets of unique clothing have been available to them so far. In addition, they have one firefighting vehicle, but without a hydrant network, it is often unable to deal effectively with fires.
Construction helmets and jeans
Firefighters from Auasa put out fires in denim, construction helmets, or private clothing, says firefighter and PCPM expert Bartek Trzaska.
This situation has affected firefighters in Poland. When I told them what conditions they work in and what calls they have, firefighters in Auasa, as part of a grassroots initiative, three volunteer firefighting squads from the Żyrardów and Grodzisk districts collected six used sets of firefighter equipment. The sets included special boots, clothing, helmets, gloves, and even barracks clothes, Trzaska added.
Although used, all the suits were in good condition. Thanks to the PCPM, the sets went to Auasa. Later this year, the Foundation will deliver additional rescue equipment purchased from the Polish Aid project last year. More importantly, as last year, more instructors and firefighters will be trained.
PCPM in Ethiopia
The project to support Ethiopian firefighters, paramedics, and veterinary services is an extension of the development activities that the PCPM Foundation has been carrying out in Ethiopia since 2015. On the ground, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, the Addis Ababa Fire and Disaster Risk Management Commission, and the authorities of three regions in the south of the country, among others, cooperate with the Poles.
The value of the Module 1 funding is PLN 1,599,679. The total value of the task is PLN 6,396,073. The implementation of the project includes: conducting training and purchasing equipment for the fire brigade, ambulance crews, and veterinary services in Ethiopia.
