Team works! brings breath of fresh air for German fireman

Expert exchange assignment takes young fireman to Kenya

Last November, volunteer fireman Julian Schwab became the first Team works! participant from Germany to travel to Kenya on an SES assignment.  He spent three weeks working alongside his tandem partner, SES expert Oliver Elsner, to deliver breathing apparatus courses to four different fire stations in Kilifi County and came to realise how valuable a change of perspective is.

Julian Schwab takes a selfie of himself in full equipment and wearing a breathing mask. Other course participants in equipment can be seen in the background.
In the thick of things instead of just being there - Julian Schwab tested new tactics and operations together with his Kenyan colleagues and gained insights into other techniques.

Gaining a fresh outlook and learning from one another

This was the first trip to Kenya for the 27-year-old from near Fulda in central Germany. As well as acquiring professional experience during his three-week assignment, Julian also benefited greatly on a personal level. He explains, “My assignment in Kenya was a really interesting experience. I grew considerably as a person and benefited in various ways through discussing our work with my tandem partner, the other trainers and the Kenyan firefighters.”

Kilifi County Fire & Rescue Service was set up in 1996 and has four stations. In January 2021, the service received a large donation of new firefighting clothing and equipment, including around 80 breathing devices. The local crews learned how to handle the breathing apparatus on courses and workshops delivered by the Team works! tandem and two other German trainers from the European Fire & Rescue Support Association e.V. They practised how to use the apparatus properly and professionally in an emergency situation and developed tactics and resource deployment plans. It was an experience that made the young fireman realise how valuable knowledge-sharing can be. “I was introduced to different equipment to the things we usually use back home”, he says. “And I also saw different tactics, which I’d like to try out at our station in Germany. The inventiveness of the Kenyan firefighters and their ability to improvise really impressed me.”

  • The results of the workshops are written on pin boards. In the background, a beamer projected a presentation onto the wall.
    First the theory, then the practice! In addition to teaching new content, the courses also include testing of possible application scenarios.
  • During an exercise, two emergency personnel carry an unconscious person up a flight of stairs. The unconsciousness is only simulated by a third person.
    Volunteers simulate unconscious victims. By practising the drills, the emergency forces are well prepared for an emergency.
  • The emergency forces wear full equipment with breathing masks and walk to the training ground. The sun is shining and trees and palm trees can be seen in the background.
    Off to the training ground! Even in warm temperatures, it is important to wear full equipment.
  • A course participant practices a carrying handle to be able to carry a supposedly unconscious person alone. An instructor shows the correct technique.
    The right technique is important to protect firefighters and victims during emergencies.
  • Several emergency personnel roll out fire hoses in a building entrance.
    Different situations can best be tested in practice. This shows how important good operational plans are.
  • In the foreground, a breathing apparatus lies on a table. In the background, course participants are talking.
    Trust and reliance on others is what counts in the operation. Therefore, in addition to theory and practice, getting to know each other and exchanging ideas are key.
  • The results of the workshops are written on pin boards. In the background, a beamer projected a presentation onto the wall.
    First the theory, then the practice! In addition to teaching new content, the courses also include testing of possible application scenarios.
  • During an exercise, two emergency personnel carry an unconscious person up a flight of stairs. The unconsciousness is only simulated by a third person.
    Volunteers simulate unconscious victims. By practising the drills, the emergency forces are well prepared for an emergency.
  • The emergency forces wear full equipment with breathing masks and walk to the training ground. The sun is shining and trees and palm trees can be seen in the background.
    Off to the training ground! Even in warm temperatures, it is important to wear full equipment.
  • A course participant practices a carrying handle to be able to carry a supposedly unconscious person alone. An instructor shows the correct technique.
    The right technique is important to protect firefighters and victims during emergencies.
  • Several emergency personnel roll out fire hoses in a building entrance.
    Different situations can best be tested in practice. This shows how important good operational plans are.
  • In the foreground, a breathing apparatus lies on a table. In the background, course participants are talking.
    Trust and reliance on others is what counts in the operation. Therefore, in addition to theory and practice, getting to know each other and exchanging ideas are key.

Julian Schwab knows exactly what he’ll be taking away from his Team works! assignment. “By working with fellow firefighters in Kenya, I got to know people on a level that I would probably never experience as a tourist. One of the takeaways for me – personally and professionally – is that it’s possible to be much more relaxed about life than stressing all the time like we do.”

Would you like to get a change of perspective too and share expertise with fellow professionals in Germany? Then Team works! in Germany has exactly what you’re looking for:

Find out more here about the possibilities Team works! can offer you

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