HUNDREDS of firefighters in Zimbabwe have been taught specialist skills by one of East Lancashire’s very own.

Tanya Birtwell travelled to the country’s capital Harare, where she spent two weeks in 38 degree heat teaching local crews how to use donated equipment and educating villagers on the importance of fire safety.

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The 36-year-old, who is based at Blackburn fire station and lives in Clitheroe, said: “I went there with lots of firefighters from all over the country, and some retired firefighters.

“We had a base, which was the hotel, and every day we went to Harare Central Fire Station to train about 200 firefighters in different aspects, such as breathing apparatus, road traffic collisions, chemical incidents, and community fire safety.”

Tanya spent the first week teaching crews how to use breathing apparatus, and sharing her expertise on what to do during a blaze.

“They felt very nervous and very unsure about going into fires because they did not feel they had the proper training,” she said.

“I taught them how to recognise backdrafts and symptoms of flashovers and collapsing buildings, which will help them survive and get people out safer and quicker.”

In the second week of her stay, which lasted from August 14 until September 2, Tanya travelled to some of the most impoverished communities to install smoke alarms and mingle with locals. She said: “I went to an orphanage in a small village near Harare that had very limited resources. They did not even know the fire service existed or the number to call in the event of a fire.

“When a child has never seen a fire engine or firefighter, it’s hugely rewarding.

“I got to try pig trotters and stew with all sorts of different animal parts in it, but I was so honoured because they normally just have vegetables because they can’t get meat.”

“Zimbabwe is beautiful and it’s filled with the most amazing, happy people. I have learnt the little problems in life do not matter. There are so many bigger things in this world and I have learnt to appreciate my life and the small things.”