How to Get FULLY INVOLVED!

BY KEN DE JONG, TORONTO FIRE CAPTAIN, STATION 445-A

Introduction

This is a series of Q&A articles on Toronto Fire related organizations that can get you more involved in the firefighting community. Some of the best people on the job give back to the fire service and their community in fun and exciting ways. If you find this organization interesting, consider reaching out to them for more information.

This interview is with Acting District Chief, Brian McAlinden, one of the Toronto Firefighters that volunteers for GlobalFire.

GlobalMedic and GlobalFire’s mandate is to help save lives by responding to disasters and humanitarian crises around the world (and in Canada). GlobalMedic began by providing the necessities of life, such as water, food, hygiene kits, medical care, and shelters (including field hospital set up). GlobalMedic also has “capacity building programs” to help equip and train emergency personnel in emerging nations, as well as an exciting UAV program that deploys drones to collect disaster information, emergency mapping and to assist in search and rescue operations.

KEN: What does your organization do and what is its history?

BRIAN: First of all, thanks for inquiring about the organization that I and other Toronto Firefighters volunteer and serve with. GlobalFire is a “sister” division of GlobalMedic, both of which operate under the David McAntony Gibson Foundation. This is a registered Canadian charity and has been operational for over 20 years.

KEN: What is the basic explanation of how you operate?

BRIAN: The basis of how we operate, from a rapid response perspective, is through the rapid response team (RRT), which is composed of professional emergency workers and skilled-trained professionals, who are willing to volunteer their time and skill sets in order to deliver aid in the midst of disasters. If a disaster strikes, a request for personnel notice is sent out to the volunteer body and those who can provide the time will deploy to the affected location. At times, we have been able to get members on the ground within 48 to 72 hours of the incident.

KEN: How do you recruit members?

BRIAN: When I joined, I responded to a request for personnel for a capacity building operation in the Philippines, following the typhoon Yolanda disaster in 2014. GlobalFire required a 14-member contingent of firefighters who had trainer-facilitator capabilities to help train the Tacloban City firefighters on all of the equipment that was being sent down to them in the wake of the disaster. I arranged the time off from work, (moved some vacation time) and deployed. I was hooked. I found that mission to be very rewarding and wanted to become more involved. I registered with GlobalMedic by going on-line to their website (www.globalmedic.ca). Once a person is registered, they must complete a 25-hour long online course and complete a one day inperson training session.

Other mandatory qualifications include:

• Minimum of 18 years of age

• Possess a valid passport with no travel prohibitions

• Must have or be able to get all necessar y vaccinations (yellow fever vax is required in certain countries)

• Must be able to work for long periods of time in warm climates and be comfortable working and living in harsh conditions (no running water, power, foreign languages, different culture etc.).

• Potential candidates should also be available to commit to three weeks at a time for deployments

• Have a great work ethic and be able to manage stressful situations

• Recruits should also be able to work in the framework of a team, under less than ideal conditions.

• If the new candidate is taken onboard, they will usually be connected with experienced members on a deployment. Helping out with the regular food/equipment/hygiene kit packing days also helps, as it lets the GlobalMedic administration team get to know you and see how well you perform.

KEN: What is the commitment for a member (time, effort, expenses)?

• Philippines – Typhoon Yolanda,

• St. Vincent & the Grenadines - Hurricane Maria,

• Zimbabwe & Mozambique – Cyclone Idai

• Romania & Ukraine – War in Ukraine

KEN: Are there any costs that are the responsibility of the members?

BRIAN: In a disaster relief capacity, your travel, accommodations, and food are covered (alcohol is not). In a capacity build, you may have to cover all your costs. In my experience, the host usually covers one or two meals per day.

BRIAN: A commitment for the RRT is three weeks at a time. Travel time to some of the more remote areas can take up to 36 hours. The time at the scene is varied. At times, you have to put in some significant hours because a disaster doesn’t stop when one is tired, so the effort required is also significant. Typically, if the deployment is for disaster relief, federal funds will take care of travel expenses. However, for capacity building operations, we cover our own travel costs (you can fundraise for this).

KEN: How hard is it to learn and get good at the skills for your organization?

BRIAN: I think if someone has a good work ethic and is empathetic to the situation that people find themselves in after a disaster, it’s not difficult to learn and get good at the skills required to be helpful and be a valued team member.

KEN: Where has your organization traveled to?

BRIAN: GlobalMedic has deployed to over 90 different countries around the world. Acting District Chief Mike Sayers has been on ten missions around the world! I have been on four.

KEN: What is your most epic event that you’ve done or you’ve been at?

BRIAN: I would have to say driving through Ukraine into Kiev, observing the damage from the battles was the most epic event for me. What was most significant and rewarding for me personally, occurred when we were purifying water for a hospital in the village of Chimanimani, Zimbabwe. People were so happy to have their water purified and were extremely grateful when we gave them the purifying equipment to keep at the church and then trained the locals on how to use it.

KEN: Have you met anyone famous or done any other special events?

BRIAN: Other than famous volunteers like: Mike Sayers, Tony Cardinale, Craig Lester, Jack Turner or Geoff Boisseau? No.

KEN: What would you say to someone out there thinking of joining GlobalFire?

BRIAN: It is very rewarding but be prepared to work harddeployments are not easy.

KEN: Any final thoughts?

BRIAN: I am happy to see that there is interest in this charity. I like what GlobalMedic does and what they stand for. If making financial donations or commitments are not possible for you, this is an agency where one can make a donation of time that has a very impactful delivery.