Mid March. Two professional physical trainers, attached to the NOE Project (Our Employment Opportunity), of the Cabildo de Tenerife, begin the path to improve the physical capacity of forest firefighters at their bases in Barranco Las Lajas, Aguamansa and La Guancha. A previous preparation that has been fundamental to face the great fire in the mountains of the Island, started on the 15th.
The Brifor Operation for the Prevention and Extinction of Fires of the Cabildo de Tenerife it no longer begins, as was usual until a few years ago, in the summer months. The preparation now starts from spring. Both physically and on the ground. Two preparers attached to the NOE island project (New Opportunity for Employment) for unemployed people, began their work with the forest firefighters in mid-March. These routines, together with the practices in emergencies, have been shown to be key five months later during the raging fire that has ravaged the island’s mountains in recent days. Both professionals have a Degree in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences. They developed their work in two phases.
The first stage consisted of an analysis of the unit’s training centers, attached to the insular Environment area, in Barranco Las Lajas, Aguamansa and La Guancha in order to check the state of the gyms and sports equipment. Then a report was prepared with an economic proposal for the renovation of the materials and other elements. The acquisition of these resources considerably increased the training possibilities and improved the facilities.
The second phase focused on the analysis of the personnel attached to the Brifor Operation. Initially the training was generic to mark a minimum standard for all forest firefighters. Once the first sessions were carried out and knowing all the components of the helitransported brigade (Brivam), each one with their strengths and, above all, their weaknesses detected, a more focused plan was launched by groups. It meant an improvement, both in performance and in strengthening and prevention of possible injuries.
This is the basis for quickly scheduling training in the different areas and with the different Brivams of Operation Brifor on the Island. The main objective, achieved based on the performance demonstrated in this fire in August, was to improve the physical capacity of the workers .
The protocol
All personnel working at Operativo Brifor follow a professionalization process. Their training consists, on the one hand, of daily physical exercise, and on the other, of a specific program in fire fighting techniques, safety, use of materials, first aid, cartography, climbing, work with aerial means, etc. As part of the training activities for the operation, large fire drills, practices with real fire and the combination of media are carried out.
The training of the personnel is directly focused on the position within the Brifor Operation. Specific training in each case, such as air coordination, direction, extinction techniques, prescribed burning, etc. The workers of the Cabildo de Tenerife are deployed throughout the year in tasks of management, prevention, control and extinction. And prepared. They comply with what summer fires start to go out in winter. In this case, in spring.
