AID: Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) National Parks and Wildlife Services yesterday donated protective clothing to Bhutan’s Department of Forest and Park Services (DoFPS).
DoFPS received 145 jackets, 264 pants and 36 fireproof undershirts for Bhutanese forest fire fighters.
The fireproof uniforms will be distributed to relevant officials and individuals who are responsible for fighting forest fire.
Tandin Dorji, head of Forest Fire Management Programme (FFMP), said forest fire occur on steep and difficult slopes, fire fighters have to tackle the fire up close. Tackling a forest fire with limited equipment and protective clothing is, therefore, very difficult.
“The donation will enhance the safety of the fire-fighters and improve our fire-fighting capacity,” said Tandin Dorji.
Helen Wositzky, an Australian volunteer with FFMP, said that if there are extra fireproof uniforms, they will be issued to individuals who are actively engaged in fighting forest fire.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services and DoFPS signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2002, which was renewed in 2013.
Dechen Tshomo