Oldham firefighter helps train Cape Verde island crew

The training course, led by Chadderton firefighter Jo Musgrave, Blackley fire station watch manager Paul Leonard, and retired watch manager Michael Howard, covered water pumping, ladder drills, trauma care, and incident command.

The training culminated in a public demonstration of the newly acquired skills by firefighters on the island.

The course was designed to help São Nicolau fire crews become familiar with equipment donated by GMFRS firefighters in 2019, which included a decommissioned fire engine and personal protective equipment.

Local fire crews practice a ladder drill (Image: GMFRS)

The trip was entirely fundraised by the team, who gathered donations from a range of activities, including running a mile every day for a year, organising charity car washes, and working with local schools.

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The training included simulated scenarios such as road traffic collisions, which are a priority for central Atlantic island’s local service.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, GMFRS firefighters had been unable to travel to the island until this year to train their Cape Verdean counterparts.

It’s not the only international collaboration Greater Manchester’s fire crews have undertaken, with crews from Mossley, Ashton, Stalybridge, and Hyde working with the Catalonian Fire and Rescue Service on wildfire training earlier this year.

The group flew out to São Nicolau on March 13.

The initiative builds on a partnership with Cape Verde that dates back to 2014 when residents on the island of Maio reached out to Operation Florian, the UK fire service humanitarian charity, for help with medical intervention capability on the island.

Operation Florian works with fire services around the world to improve their capabilities through training and equipment donation.

A firefighter from the island carries out a hose drill (Image: GMFRS)

In 2016, Jo, Paul, and two other volunteers from Operation Florian carried out training sessions on the island of Maio, and the project has since expanded to cover São Nicolau as well.

It is hoped that other Cape Verdean islands will also benefit from the partnership in the future.

Chadderton firefighter Jo Musgrave said: “It is a real honour to have the opportunity to work with firefighters from São Nicolau. We have built a lifelong relationship and have plans to develop the project further.

“Thanks to the hard work of my team, Operation Florian, and all the funds raised, they’re now able to provide their community with an essential emergency response.

“I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to help with the fundraising, with a special thank you to Operation Florian, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service for the donation of a much-needed fire appliance, and to Watergrove Trust in Rochdale and Kentmere Primary School for all their support raising money.”

Blackley watch manager Paul Leonard said: “Firefighters around the world have to contend with a variety of challenging situations, and the skills and expertise used by crews in Greater Manchester can be adapted by the volunteer firefighters of Cape Verde.

“It was fantastic to work alongside the volunteer firefighters helping them gain new skills to help their community.

“Their dedication and enthusiasm to the training were exceptional, and the team could not have asked for any more. The team is proud of how they embraced the training and what they achieved, and I’m sure the people of São Nicolau will be proud of them as well.”

Retired watch manager Michael Howard said: “It’s been a privilege to be able to work alongside the volunteers in Sao Nicolau.

“It was a real pleasure passing on my knowledge and experience to the crew on the island and I am looking forward to the future of this project.”