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The last few months have been hectic, but also very successful for AFIRE. After a lot of preparation, at the start of March 7 AFIRE members made the trip to Cambodia to provide training to firefighters in both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

This trip was a great success with over 60 firefighters from the Cambodian Fire Police and the Cambodian airports receiving training over the 2 week period. We also did a lot of work providing protective clothing to a number of the firefighters, as well as sorting out a lot of equipment that has been previously donated and was in storage, this has given us a good idea of what is required in the future. AFIRE would like to be able to provide every firefighter in Cambodia with protective clothing within the next 12 months.

A big part of this program included the introduction of Road Accident Rescue to the Cambodian National Fire Police. This involved repairs of unserviceable equipment and an intense training program into both operation of equipment and care and maintenance.

All AFIRE team members had a fantastic time, not only working with the firefighters, but also seeing the sights of Cambodia and getting a feel for the friendly culture. Many friendships were made that will last for a long time. It was also very clear this time that AFIRE's work in Cambodia over the past 18 months has been effective, with results being visible to not only us but the Cambodian Public.

The management side of AFIRE is currently undergoing a review, due to the growth of the organisation over the past 12 months, to set our selves up for future development and growth. This has been assisted by the help of Middletons, a major Melbourne law firm, who are providing pro bono services to AFIRE. More information will be available once this review is completed over the next few months.

June will see another small group of AFIRE members heading back to Cambodia to continue developing our relationship with the fire service, and work with the firefighters to equip appliances better and develop maintenance programs for the fire stations.

A wide range of AFIRE merchandise is still available for purchase including Cambodian silk products, books, dvds, caps, T Shirts and the AFIRE stubby holders. New to the list is the AFIRE Gym Singlets. Merchandise is available on eBay by searching for AFIRE (or clicking any of the eBay logos on this site), or by filling out the order form on the Shop page on the website. You can also email sales@afire.org.au> to purchase any of the AFIRE merchandise.

About Cambodia

Cambodian History

Cambodia is a country that for many decades new nothing but war, poverty and death.

From the 1860's through to the early 1950's Cambodia was under French colonial rule, except for a brief period during World War 2. Under French rule the country developed quickly and remained fairly peaceful, the French influence is still visible today.

On the 9th of November 1953 Cambodia gained independence from France. Under King Norodom Sihanouk the country was known as the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Below is a time line of events in Cambodia since Independence;

1965: King Sihanouk breaks off relations with the US and allows North Vietnamese guerrillas to set up bases in Cambodia to pursue their campaign against the US-backed government in South Vietnam.
1969: The US begins a secret bombing campaign against North Vietnamese forces on Cambodian soil.
18 March 1970: King Sihanouk is deposed in a coup while abroad. The Prime Minister, General Lon Nol, assumes power. He proclaims the Khmer Republic and sends the army to fight the North Vietnamese in Cambodia. King Sihanouk is exiled in China. He joins with some educated supporters to forms a guerrilla movement known as the Khmer Rouge.
Early 1970s: Cambodia faced civil war with Lon Nol's army facing two enemies: the North Vietnamese and communist Khmer Rouge guerrillas. Over the next 5 years the army loses territory.

"Year Zero" in Democratic Kampuchea

17 April 1975: Lon Not is overthrown as the Khmer Rouge occupies Phnom Penh. The country is re-named Democratic Kampuchea and Pol Pot becomes prime minister.

As a result of the Khmer Rouge taking power;

All urban dwellers are forcibly evacuated to the countryside to become agricultural workers.

Money becomes worthless.

Basic freedoms are curtailed and religion banned.

The Khmer Rouge declare "Year Zero".

Hundreds of thousands of the educated middle-classes are tortured and executed in special centers.

Others starve, or die from disease or exhaustion.

The total death toll during the next three years is estimated to be at least 1.7 million.

Vietnam and People's Republic of Kampuchea

January 1979: The Vietnamese invade Cambodia. Pot Pot and Khmer Rouge forces flee to the border region with Thailand. The People's Republic of Kampuchea is established. Many elements of life before the Khmer Rouge takeover are re-established. Heng Samrin is named head of state.
1981: The pro-Vietnamese, Kampuchean People's Revolutionary Party win National Assembly elections. The international community refuses to recognise the new government. The government-in-exile, which includes the Khmer Rouge and Sihanouk, retains its seat at the United Nations.
1985: Hun Sen becomes prime minister. Cambodia is continually plagued by guerrilla warfare. Hundreds of thousands become refugees.

Uneasy peace in the State of Cambodia

1989: Vietnamese troops withdraw. Hun Sen tries to attract foreign investment by abandoning socialism. The country is re-named the State of Cambodia. Buddhism is re-established as the state religion.
1991: A peace agreement is signed in Paris. Cambodia is monitored by the United Nations with a peacekeeping force (also known as UNTAC "United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia"). King Sihanouk returns and becomes head of state.
1993: General election sees the royalist Funcinpec party win the most seats followed by Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party (CPP). The Khmer Rouge boycotts the elections. A three-party coalition is formed with Funcinpec's Prince Norodom Ranariddh as prime minister and Hun Sen as deputy prime minister.

Modern Kingdom of Cambodia

24 September 1993: Cambodia is restored as a monarchy, this time constitutional. Norodom Sihanouk is re-crowned king. The country is re-named the Kingdom of Cambodia.
1994: Thousands of Khmer Rouge surrender in government amnesty.
1996: Deputy leader of Khmer Rouge leng Sary forms a new party and is granted amnesty by King Sihanouk.
1997: Hun Sen stages a coup against the Prime Minister, Prince Ranariddh. The coup attracts international condemnation.
1998: Pot Pot dies of natural causes in the jungle before facing trial.
1998: Prince Ranariddh is tried in his absence and found guilty of arms smuggling, but soon pardoned by the king. Elections in July are won by Hun Sen's CPP, amid allegations of harassment. A coalition is formed between the CPP and Funcinpec. Hun Sen becomes prime minister; Prince Ranariddh is president of the National Assembly.
2001: Cambodia's Senate approves a law creating a tribunal to bring genocide charges against Khmer Rouge Leaders.
2003: Prime Minister Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party wins general elections but fails to secure sufficient majority to govern alone.
October 2004: King Norodom Sihanouk abdicates. His son Norodom Sihamoni is crowned as his successor.
2005: Tribunal to try surviving Khmer Rouge leaders continues to be discussed after years of debate about funding.
2006: Prince Ranariddh is again tried in his absence and found guilty for an illegal sale of his political arties headquarters and was sentenced to 18 months in prison. He is currently exiled in Malaysia.

Today Cambodia's political climate may not be stable, however the country is developing with strong economic growth. Unfortunately this growth only reaches a minority of the people and with their Official population reaching 14 million, over 30% of the population earn less than 50 cents a day.

Cambodian Fire Police

1980's and 1990's

The Cambodian Fire Police are a division of the Cambodian National Police. They were reformed in the late 1980's years after the fall of the Khmer Rouge, although did not exist in an official capacity until 1993 after the UNTAC elections.

During this period they were operating with some old Soviet Union Trucks, which are still in service today. Since that time they have had small amounts of equipment donated by international governments and organisations, although this appears to have been fairly inconsistent.

2002

Outreach Emergency Services Project (OESP) researched the capabilities of the Fire Police and initiated annual training programs. OESP are a US based Organisation, and have been working to train firefighters and paramedics in Cambodia since 2002.

2005

OESP donated a turntable ladder truck to the Phnom Penh Fire Station which has greatly improved their response capabilities.

2006

OESP invited AFIRE to be involved in their projects which has given us an insight into the Cambodian Fire Police.

May 2007

The Cambodian Fire Police received a donation of 30 new trucks from the Chinese Government.

These thirty trucks included;

5 Foam Tenders fitted with a 2,000lt per minute pump and can carry 6,000lt of water and 3,000lt of foam.
25 Water Tankers fitted with a 2,000lt per minute pump and carry 5,000lt of water.

This donation has increased the number of appliances in Cambodia to 64 divided between the 20 stations across the country. These appliances came fitted with some basic equipment which has also increased there capabilities substantially.

Current Statistics

Number of Fire Stations: 25
Number of Appliances: 64
Number of Firefighters: 462
Population to Protect: 14,000,000

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