The day of the event dawned nice and warm, as is, after all, the normal weather for this time of year.  A good number of members turned up at Floriana prior to the drive to Hal Far.  After the usual wait for late risers, we got behind the wheel of our cars to drive to Hal Far where the Civil Protection representatives were waiting to deliver a very interesting talk about fire prevention.

The drive to the Hal Far station was uneventful except for the usual hassles of grouping up again every time we went through a set of traffic lights.  We parked just below the old control tower where we met Mr Tony Pisani of the Civil Protection Department.

We were invited to the station's lecture room where Mr Pisani delivered the much awaited talk which stretched over a good part of an hour.  Mr Pisani covered various aspects of Fire Prevention and first aid.  He also went over the difficulties his department faces whenever they are called out to give a helping hand.  Some of the key points we discussed include

• Types of extinguishers and their various uses.  Mr Pisani explained that the best type of extinguisher to keep in a car is a Dry Powder unit of at least two kilos.  Other types of extinguishers can also be used but these could cause problems.  Two kilos would provide a good volume to allow the user to control a small fire in a modern car.

• Technique to extinguish a fire in the engine bay.  Never open the bonnet since this will provide a good supply of oxygen and the fire will spread.  Mr Pisani suggested that the bonnet is slightly lifted on its safety catch and the nozzle of the extinguisher pointed at the source of the fire.  Alternatively, one can spray the extinguisher’s contents through the radiator. This will allow the contents through as it does the air that cools the radiator liquid.

• Persons trapped in vehicles.  Under no circumstance are injured persons in a crashed vehicle to be moved unless there is danger to life from fire or the car is sinking.  The person may have sustained broken bones, which could lead to serious internal injuries if they are moved.  In such circumstances it would be wiser to leave the job to the professionals, who have access to back support boards and neck braces to ensure damage is limited to what has already happened.

After the talk, members were invited to attend another presentation, which involved the various vehicles the department has at its disposal.  Here again, the talk was very interesting and some of the equipment shown is very impressive.  At least, I'm sure we all feel safer driving around the island after learning how well equipped the department is and how well the staff know their job.

Finally, as we were leaving, Mr Pisani remembered the department's connection with VW products.  This was an air-cooled VW engine which is used as a water pump.  The engine is "portable" and is towed to emergencies on a specially built trailer.  It is mainly used to provide water or extinguishing liquids at pressure in spots where the pumps on the fire engines cannot get to.  Mr Pisani told us that the engine had not been started for quite a while.  He then pumped some fuel into the carb and the engine, as is typical of the breed, fired up instantly.  A truly fitting end to another interesting event.