Wirral firefighter helps provide essential PPE to Uganda

A Wirral fireman was amongst a group of Merseyside firefighters who recently volunteered to help educate Ugandan kids about the risks of fire.

Phil Hunt, who is the watch manager at West Kirby station, joined 12 other volunteers for the three week trip to the African country.

As well as providing the authorities there with lifesaving person protective equipment (PPE), the group worked with the firefighting unit of the police in Mityana.

Teaching them skills to tackle fires more effectively, they also educated the team to better help businesses with fire safety and prevention.

Working with the Mityana Community Foundation Charity, the group also visited more than 150 schools in the district. To a total audience of 35,000 kids, the volunteers taught about fire prevention, life-saving skills and safe evacuation plans.

Talking about the trip, Phil Hunt told the local Wirral press:

"It was a truly memorable experience and we all really felt that we made a difference.

"It was a life time's experience in just three weeks.”

The group went on to say:

"During the trip we worked closely with the local hospitals advising of evacuation procedures and providing staff evacuation training.”

Believed to be the first time that a group from Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service has taken part in a trip with the charity, they join a band of trustees and other UK firefighters.

Since the charity was formed, there have been no fire-related child fatalities across the district.