Dryden firefighter reflects on experience with firefighters in Malawi

When Dryden firefighter Amanda Brayton took a trip to Malawi in June, she quickly realized the vast differences between fire departments there and in America.

For example, Brayton said the city of Blantyre, Malawi has a population of about 1.8 million people. The city has a fire station and a substation, but both stations have only one fire truck.

“They have to figure out how to try and help everyone there,” said Brayton, a special education teacher at Dryden Central School District (DCSD) and a volunteer firefighter at the Neptune Hose Company of Dryden, Inc.

Brayton traveled to Malawi to train with and teach firefighters in the cities of Blantyre, Zomba and other locations within the country. The trip was through Africa Fire Mission (AFM), a not-for-profit organization that commits to increasing the sustainable capacity of fire departments in developing communities. The organization is able to accomplish its mission through training, empowerment, support and encouragement.

Despite limited resources within the fire departments, firefighters in Malawi “put their all” into what they do, Brayton said.

“The idea is to empower the people of Malawi to take what limited means they have and build on their skills,” Brayton said. “We didn’t go to tell them how to do their job. They know how. We went to present new ideas, and also build on what they already do. We wanted to help problem solve and give them confidence to step outside of the box and advocate for themselves. I learned to always be creative in any situation. There are so many ways to do the same job, and nothing is impossible. It might be hard, but you can make anything work with enough faith and ingenuity. That is what I learned. Never give up. Not in Malawi. Not in America.”

Brayton and other firefighters from across the world were split into two groups: the north and south teams. Brayton was on the south team and spent a few days each in various locations.

Training included basic skills with ladders and hoses, situational calls in confined spaces, search and rescue and victim rescue.

“It went great,” Brayton said. “We did training with a lot of fire departments.”

While working with local firefighters, the south team also trained with Malawi’s defense force, which Brayton said is the country’s air force. 

“It was awesome and something I’ve never done before. It was an incredible collaboration,” Brayton said, noting that the north team worked with firefighters from Malawi’s airports.

Compared to the equipment available for Dryden firefighters, Brayton said firefighters in Malawi “work with the equipment they have,” noting the significantly fewer resources in the country. Brayton added that Blantyre’s fire equipment has been repaired multiple times and is “not in the best condition.”

“[Places like] Blantyre have a fraction of what [Dryden] has,” Brayton said. “They’re working on limited resources, but they’re trying very hard.”

On top of being stretched thin with equipment, Brayton noted that firefighters “aren’t as well respected” in Malawi as they are in America. Brayton said that fire departments in Malawi are continually ridiculed and considered the “smallest thing” in the area.

“Even though they don’t have the support like we have [in America], they still train very hard,” Brayton said. “They put their heart and soul into it. I have a lot of respect for them. I have a huge appreciation for what they do.”

One of the biggest lessons Brayton took from the trip was the grit and passion that firefighters in Malawi insert into their work.

“The greatest lesson I learned was that it doesn’t matter how many people or how much equipment, if your heart is into it then you’re going to do the job,” Brayton said. “They’re super passionate about their job.”

Brayton made great connections and friendships through AFM’s program, so much that she wants to take the trip again. She’s also attempting to convince other Dryden firefighters to travel, as well.

“They’re amazing people and so kind and friendly,” Brayton said. “It’s an incredible experience — and how amazing it was to meet these people.”

Dryden Dispatch appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com.

In brief:

Lineup for town of Dryden’s ‘Music on the Hill’ series

The “Music on the Hill” series, presented by the town of Dryden, has shows this month and in August.

The shows begin at 6 p.m. and will be held at the Dryden Veterans Memorial Home at 2272 Dryden Rd.

The series’ lineup is as follows:

• July 17: The Tarps
• July 24: Crystal Vision
• July 31: Ghost Train
• Aug. 7: Sydney Irving

Food and beverages will be available at each show.

Southworth House schedules summer tours

The Dryden Town Historical Society (DTHS) will hold tours of Southworth House at 14 North St. in the village this summer.

The guided tours will be held on the first Saturday of each month until October. The tours are scheduled for Aug. 3, Sept. 7 and Oct. 5.

Each Saturday with scheduled tours will have three time slots: 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon.
To make an appointment for a tour, call 607-844-4691. Further information is available in the DTHS’s recent newsletter at drydennyhistory.org.