Growing the connection with Operation Florian
A key connection for us in our work on fire risk reduction is with Steve Jordan, MBE. A hilarious, thoughtful, and committed fire fighter who has been instrumental in raising the profile of fire risk and safety in development and humanitarian settings. And all alongside his very busy day job.
Operation Florian is UK fire and rescue service humanitarian charity, which works to promote the protection of life amongst communities around the world. Although the organisation provides equipment and technical expertise to fire and rescue services, Steve has taken a particular interest in the research that shapes how this work is done, advocating for a more grounded approach to how they work with communities and partners. Initially meeting through his role as an advisor within Laura’s doctoral supervisory team, the connection has gone from strength to strength, and many of our projects on fire risk reduction have emerged from or are because of our connection to Steve.
Macedonian flag outside fire station (L. Hirst, 2016)
Laura’s PhD explored fire risks and disaster justice in Nairobi. While her doctoral case study centred on Nairobi, Laura took the opportunity to get to know Operation Florian by accompanying Steve on a trip to Macedonia to observe, first-hand, some of the achievements and challenges experienced at different levels of the fire service. This included learning about how volunteer fire fighters carry out participatory risk assessments, showing how community members can work together to collect data and develop knowledge that can support them as they lobby for services.
Fast-forward nine years, and we are in the final stages of preparing to return to Macedonia, this time to work with a range of NGOs and communities who want to understand how women and marginalised genders can contribute to Macedonia’s volunteer fire service. We’ll be travelling with Emma and Millie, also fire fighters within the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, running workshops across the country in communities to learn and connect with each other.
And yes, Steve is coming too.
Read Laura’s 2016 report here.
