UNIFIL, Lebanese Civil Defense exchange expertise for firefighting

Lebanese Civil Defense participants during practice exercise at UNIFIL HQ.

A Lebanese Civil Defense officer helping to adjust a colleague’s mask during an exercise at UNIFIL HQ in Naqoura.

UNIFIL firefighter checking with his Lebanese counterpart before starting the exercise.

Lebanese Civil Defense officer practicing first aid with a dummy.

Members of the Civil Defense checking their equipment before the exercise.

Lebanese Civil Defense officers checking a mask during a break.

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2 Jul 2015

UNIFIL, Lebanese Civil Defense exchange expertise for firefighting

Three Lebanese civil defense firefighters, accompanied with a captain from UNIFIL Fire Brigade unit, have to enter a burning building, extinguish a fire and cool down the place.

This is one of the scenarios during a three-day training conducted by UNIFIL's Fire Safety Unit in Naqoura in collaboration with the Lebanese Civil Defense centers in south Lebanon.

UNIFIL Civil Affairs has facilitated the training which encompassed representatives from Civil Defense centers from the southern towns of Al Taibe, Qabrikha, Meis El Jabal, Markaba and Frun.

UNIFIL Fire and Safety Unit's Hassan Yazbeck explained that the Civil Defense members have to enter a building, under fire and smoke, and contain it using the adequate equipment and techniques.

The 14 trainees applied the safe use of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) in a smoke-filled environment, carried out rescue operations using SCBA, in addition to applying procedures and techniques of search and rescue in various scenarios.

Nabil Salhani, Director of Training at the General Directorate for Civil Defense in Lebanon, explained, " the training provided by UNIFIL was highly appreciated by the Director-General of the Civil Defense because this will enhance the capacity of Civil Defense in south Lebanon, especially in the towns within the mission's Area of Operation."

Salhani explained, "The importance of this training lies in the expertise of elements and officers operating in UNIFIL Fire Brigade and Fire and Safety Units on the one hand, and in the provision of the adequate place, site, equipment, and devices which are not currently available at the directorate to conduct such training."

Lebanon celebrates Civil Defense Day on 01 July, in support for the Lebanese Civil Defense role and sacrifices.