Falck Newsletter No. 3 2009

IN THIS issue

Falck people go running Falck kicks off for charity Falck participated in the Roparun in race with their own team. We got the pictures of exhausted but still smiling Falck folks.

page 3

Falck folk helps out in Nicaragua Danish rescue officers spend time doing good deeds in a faraway country – and do- nates some retired vehicles as well.

Falck’s training centre in Musaffah.

page 4-5 Falck and the Critical National once everything has been built and properly Infrastructure Authority (CNIA) upgraded at the joint Falck and CNIA facil- agreed to set up an emergency ity. The accommodation wing can fit around 150 people and the staff will consist of up to People in Falck centre and clinic at CNIA’s training 50 people. Vibeke Roermark loves to play in her garden facility in , Abu Dhabi from “We have already started quite an exten- and relax in front of her 6 June 2009. Starting the same sive overhaul of the equipment. The other Playstation. Oh, did day we installed a helicopter simulator nec- we mention that she date, Falck has also been operating essary for the training of people working is 63? a CNIA training centre in Musaffah, off shore and this is only one example of Abu Dhabi - both are seen as full the upgrades that we are performing at the moment,” says Falck’s Head of Middle East, service operations to CNIA. Marc de Beer. page 8

Karsten Krogh, Communications Officer Clinic and emergency centre Concurrently, Falck has reached an agree- ready been brought in to our facilities down Falck has added the Middle East to its places ment to run a clinic with doctors, nurses, here,” says Marc de Beer. of business in the world. From now on Falck physiotherapists and other health personnel will run the former Navy Safety and Security at CNIA’s military training site in Sweihan, “We have already received a great amount Training Centre in Musaffah in Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi. of positive response and obviously we are - the biggest of the seven emirates that At the Sweihan training facility Falck’s ex- optimistic about obtaining further contracts constitute the . It is in- perienced physicians and nurses will provide – perhaps involving ambulance services - in corporated in the agreement that Falck will medical services to both staff and delegates a country that is traditionally difficult to get upgrade the original centre to international trained at the facility. The emergency cen- into business wise. However, it is important standards. Falck now runs training centres in tre and clinic will be equipped with medical to stress that we need to focus on making 13 countries on five continents. equipment and patient related IT-systems of this facility top notch in all departments and At the training centre in Musaffah between the highest standards. thus getting the Falck brand established,” 200 and 300 people a day can be trained “Quite a few doctors and nurses have al- states Marc de Beer.

Falck Newsletter nO. 3 2009 Global intranet to link Falck employees

Falck has launched a common global intranet designed to link all areas of Falck across international borders and business areas. This means that all 17,000 employees at Falck will have the opportunity to receive news and info about Falck on the same web.

Klaus Kristiansen, Communications Officer

Initially, employees who are already on Personalised opening page From the opening page there is access the Falck network will have access to the The new intranet gives the option of a per- to a number of subpages called portals. intranet and it will appear as the opening sonalised opening page. This means that This is where the editors from the spe- page when the user turns on his or her the user partly makes the choices about cific departments will publish news and computer. However, Falck’s IT depart- which kind of news the user wants on the information about the department’s ac- ment is working tivities, etc. These on a solution that pages are primari- will ensure that all ly focused on em- Falck employees ployees in the spe- without Falck net- cific department work access will be – which is why the able to log on to texts are in the lo- the intranet. It is cal languages. still difficult to say when this solution The IT department is ready but the will inform the indi- preliminary solu- vidual Falck coun- tion will be tested tries on when and in a couple of Falck how the employ- countries during ees will be on the August. intranet. However, it is not too early The new global in- for the individual tranet will convey countries to start both news about coordinating with Falck and informa- their business are- tion and instruc- as which units need tions to Falck em- their own portals, ployees. The open- which employees ing page will con- to be intranet edi- tain group news, tors and what kind business area news and specific news for opening page. In the standard configura- of material to post on the intranet. This the country that the user has selected in tion he or she will see group news, news way the individual departments will be his or her profile. Group and business area from all business areas and news from their ready when the intranet is launched. news is in English while country news will specific country. But the individual user can be in the local language. change his or her profile if preferred.

page 2 Falck Newsletter nO. 3 2009 Falck workers forced to run from Paris to Rotterdam!

Got your attention there? Obviously, no force was needed here – unless of course the runners felt forced by their own conscience. The history of the Roparun Being the ideal of health, many Falck employees wanted to In 1992, the RO(tterdam) PA(ris) RUN participate in the Roparun – a cancer charity run from Paris to was born. And it came about as the result of a bet. In that first year, 13 teams took Rotterdam – and this year Falck had their own team. part and together they managed to raise 100,000 Dutch Guilders (45,000 Euros). The organization of the event was in the From 30th of May until the 1st of June 2009, a among the runners. Carla van den Heuvel hands of a small group of volunteers. In running team consisting of Falck employees also participated but she chose to ride a bi- fact, the intention was for a one-off event, in the Netherlands ran non-stop in the Ro- cycle at the Roparun – apparently not with- but that was not to be the case. parun. In earlier years, Falck was one of the out a little pain to show for it. The first time was such a success that a sponsors of this challenge for charity. This ye- “When you sit on a bike for many kilom- follow up was inevitable. For the first four ar, however, we had our own company team: eters and hours your backside starts to hurt years the event remained relatively small, ‘You’ll never Falck Alone’ – completely Falck. but you will get over this within a few days. and was organized on a purely voluntary From all Falck departments in the Nether- To overcome cancer will take much longer”, basis. However, as the event grew there lands enthusiastic colleagues have gathered says Carla van den Heuvel, capturing the was a need for an office with paid staff - to form the team. The director of Falck Neth- spirit of the race. even though everything had to be done erlands, Joost Beerthuis and the President of low budget. There are currently 250 vol- International Fire Service, Jorn Zielke, were unteers working for the Roparun Founda- tion, with an additional permanent group of 50 volunteers, who are constantly busy dedicating time and energy to the planning and organization of this event.

The route covers approximately 530km. When it began in 1992, the race started on the Coolsingel in Rotterdam and fin- ished in the airport area Le Bourget in the ‘city of lights’, Paris. Since 2004 the route has gone in the other direction, starting in Paris and finishing in Rotterdam.

What is the Roparun? The Roparun is the longest non-stop relay race in the world: it is not only a unique run- ning event but it also has a unique goal “Aim- ing to add life to the days that remain, when no more days can be added to life.” It is a charity run for cancer victims.

Please notice that all these fine Falck people are smiling. Must be the beginning of the race.

page 3 Falck Newsletter nO. 3 2009 Falck rescuer making a difference in Nicaragua In March, rescue officer Kim Elkaer from Holstebro, Denmark travelled to Nicaragua to help out for a fortnight. Was is the newest man in a long line of Falck rescue officers to make the trip. This is a short excerpt from Kim Elkaer’s diary. Not for the faint of heart.

Karsten Krogh, Communications Officer

Sunday, March 8th. A stab wound for the parame- Wednesday, March 11th. Nicaraguan kids excited about their new clothes. dics.

Sunday, March 8th out to be the highlight of the day. At one lung-rescue). We got the patient inside the First night of duty point we stopped next to a family with a lot ambulance; drove towards the hospital while Morten and I have just returned from the first of kids. Two of the kids were approximately her son was sitting in the ambulance (not ex- 24-hour shift at the main station Z1. We’ve the same age as my own kids so we donated actly standard procedure in Denmark!). just had breakfast, talked about the night’s some of my kids’ excess clothes to them. We continued our heart massage in the events and now we can relax a little. That experience really burned a hole in my ambulance. I was simply ventilating while Right before midnight we were called to a memory. Seeing all the dirty but happy and Morten was the unlucky one and had to work fight. When we arrived there seemed to be sweet children – and their family’s gratitude hard in the hot and humid air. While driving chaos – it was crawling with police and peo- because we brought them some clothes and we knew there was nothing we could do and ple were running around in a frenzy, shout- a little money. We felt all warm inside. when we handed the patient to the doctor ing and screaming. Suddenly, three or four he didn’t eve bother to look at her – after we people came out of the crowd carrying an Thursday, March 12th had told him that there was no pulse, no res- apparently lifeless man in his late twenties. Resuscitation in vain piration, stiff pupils, negative reactions from Inside the ambulance we could see that he We certainly were not in cosy little Denmark the defibrillator and according the her family had been stabbed in the back – just above his anymore, but rather in a little, dark hut with a she had been like this for a couple of hours. right shoulder - with a knife. My colleague, dirt floor - in an area full of hookers and pick- Afterwards, I couldn’t help but think that at Morten, heard solid breathing in both lungs pockets. And we were treating a heart attack. least her worries were now behind her. In her and I couldn’t hear any sounds at the point Morten and I didn’t have to communicate 56 year-old life she had worked really hard to of entry of the knife. He got lucky. when we arrived and saw the old unconscious feed her five kids every day. Our next thought woman. We read in each other’s eyes what was – what are her kids going to do now? Wednesday, March 11th to do. By using sign language we quickly mo- Danish clothes saved the day tioned for our Nicaraguan colleagues to get Wednesday, March 18th We were out in a poor neighbourhood for a the defibrillator and the ventilation bag in the Falck car in Nicaragua spectacular lake view but that did not turn ambulance while we started the HLR (heart- They were happy to show off their ageing page 4 Falck Newsletter nO. 3 2009 Why Falck and Nicaragua? Several years ago, secretary Søren Andersen from 3F, Danish union for rescue officers, had an idea. As an act of charity he thought it could be a great idea if Falck and its employees could help out in developing countries – of course without competing with already established Falck business. Thus Nicaragua was chosen as the recipient country. The rescue officers included in the working agreement with 3F are all included in a very specific agreement. For every work hour com- pleted every Falck rescue officer donates a little more than one eurocent to the charity work in Nicaragua. This provides the resourc- es to send over older vehicles and other types of equipment to Nicaragua. Additionally, the money is spent on sending two Danish rescue Monday, March 23rd. Driving is a different experience in Nicaragua. Lots of thrills on the road! officers to Nicaragua for two weeks at a time. The two rescue officers are selected after an evaluation of applications. Thursday afternoon we were teaching first in traffic, he crossed the street ignoring the aid. The Danish union 3F and Falck are back- red light! My colleague from Nicaragua and ing a local project called ”Inhijambia” where I looked at each other and shook our heads. locals drive out in the slums and pick up We couldn’t believe that anyone, here or street kids, help them go through rehab back in Denmark, would take that kind of and integrate them back in society towards chance. Unfortunately, this guy got pun- a healthier lifestyle. We gave them a three ished for his reckless driving. hour course where my colleague Jens used powerpoint to illustrate matters and we did Five minutes later, when we were back at the practical part (heart/lung rescue = heart the station, an accident had occurred. The massage and artificial respiration). reckless taxi driver from earlier was mowed Wednesday, March 18th. An old Falck ambulance down when he tried to sneak a red light still going strong far away from home. Monday, March 23rd once again - someone had rammed him in Crazy driving the driving side. The door was bend about We were driving slowly back to the station. 25-30 centimetre and I remembered from Falck ambulance at Station Z9 in Tipitapa. At one point – when we were at a red light earlier that he wasn’t wearing a seatbelt so Down here the ambulances are rated very – a pretty good looking (for Nicaragua) taxi he’d probably been flying around in the car highly. After all, not too long ago they rolls up next to us. Suddenly, after a break as well. Another ambulance from our station picked up patients in a sort of open pick-up had already taken him to a hospital. truck with a Bomberos (fireman) needing to stand at the back of the car so the patient Thursday, March 26th wouldn’t fall out. A closed Falck ambulance ”It means a lot to have Danish Falck firetrucks Last day – even if it is an older model - is simply a and ambulances driving around in Managua. It’s Thursday morning now. I’ve been up luxury item in this part of the world. Considering their size and colour they are ex- since 3.30am because of a little stomach- tremely visible with their Falck and 3F logos ache. I’m sitting here reflecting on my two Thursday, March 19th attached. It all helps in showing a Danish pres- very exciting weeks in Nicaragua. This has First aid teaching ence here and it is a form of very direct soli- been an experience that has only been pos- It took about 2-3 hours to get to Jinotega. darity between peoples. sible because I have a dream job as a rescue We arrived at the station slightly past noon. When the ambulances drive through the city officer in Falck. Thanks very, very much! I Our Nicaraguan colleagues were in the proc- with its blue lights and sirens it shows the am already looking forward to my next trip ess of maintaining an ambulance. They had Nicaraguan citizens that they have friends – down there where we can really make a dif- just received their first ambulance – an old people on the other side of the earth – who ference. Mercedes Sprinter - from the Falck station in really care and do something to help people Skive, a small town in Denmark. I don’t think in need in their country. It is a great signature the ambulance has ever looked any better. for Denmark.” After being the subject of a little silver spray the hubcaps were tinkling in the sun. The Soeren Vohtz, Danish Ambassador Kim Elkjaer’s diary in full on the web – it is car was hand polished with rags – even the of Nicaragua written in Danish but there are many great interior was polished to perfection. pictures: kortlink.dk/6mnz

page 5 Falck Newsletter nO. 3 2009 Arlanda opens Sweden for Falck

Karsten Krogh, Communications Officer

Falck has won a tender for fire and ment with Luftfartsverket for Arlanda Air- a great satisfaction with the extensive rescue services at Stockholm’s port will pave the way for additional fire experience that Falck has in the area of Arlanda Airport. The client, and rescue contracts for Falck in Sweden fire services. We are very satisfied with and create a basis for additional Falck fire- providing our fire services to Arlanda Air- Luftfartsverket in Sweden, will also fighting contracts at airports around the port – one of the most well run airports in have an option for similar Falck world”, says Anders Delcomyn Larsen, Europe,” says Henrik Bitsch Hansen and services at Bromma, the other Senior Vice President of Falck. expects great things in Sweden in the fu- ture. Stockholm airport. Following the “So far, we will start the operation up at Arlanda contract, Falck is Arlanda airport. Then we will see if Luft- “Getting a major contract like this provides expecting big things in Sweden fartsverket will take advantage of our Falck with a stamp of confidence for eve- experience and general extensive knowl- ryone to see in Sweden. There are a great in the future. edge in the fire services area. We would many tenders in the area of fire services certainly be ready to provide and develop out there in Sweden at the moment and I Arlanda is the seventh largest airport in the fire service at Bromma airport in coop- wouldn’t be surprised if we made significant Europe. In addition to fire and rescue serv- eration with Luftfartsverket as well,” says progress in Sweden in the near future.” ices, Falck will also be operating emergen- Anders Delcomyn Larsen. cy vehicles with staff to provide life-saving Falck has provided fire-fighting services first aid. The emergency staff team will Positive Swedish signs in Denmark for decades, and has also set total 50-60 persons. International Fire Chief Henrik Bitsch up fire-fighting operations in the Nether- Hansen is very optimistic about the cur- lands, Slovakia, Romania and Spain. For “The contract has just been signed and rent goings-on in Sweden. instance, Falck provides fire-fighting serv- we are very intent on showing that Falck “We held a personnel meeting in Stock- ices at the Ciudad Real Airport south of is the right provider for fire safety services holm and everyone was very positive . at Arlanda. It is our goal that the agree- towards Falck. It seemed as if there was

page 6 Falck Newsletter nO. 3 2009 Falck around the world

Poland

The Water Emergency Rescuers Falck on the Beach

No, it is not a new drink invented during a particularly joyful Falck party – just a bunch of happy Falck workers providing First aid training on the Jastarnia beach. This great Poland initiative is almost becoming a tradition. Head rescuer and emergency coordinator Wojciech Diadia teaching his stuff.

Nigerian training

Nigeria

A bunch of clients ready for their training at the pool in Falck’s trai- ““The training centre is coming along nicely. We were officially accredited to deliver OPITO approved courses ning facilities in Ipara. on the 10th of April 2009 and are currently working on developments to the fire ground which when finished will allow delivery of advanced fire training. Although heavy rains are hampering the progress we’re generally satisfied with the progress down here”, says Derek Sinclair, Chairman of Falck Prime Atlantic.

page 7 Falck Newsletter nO. 3 2009 People in Falck

Paramedics or Project Managers. Fire-fighters or Finns. Falck has become a company with thousands of different employees. In every issue of Falck Newsletter we will present a selection of people in the ”People in Falck” series.

63 -year-old kid with Falck in her veins

”Some people have suggested that I spend my time as retired working at a animal retreat. But that would never work because half the animals would end up right here in my home,” says Vibeke Roermark who has always been around animals.

”Falck has always been there for me. I feel very safe and comfortable at Falck. It’s almost my second home,” Vibeke Roermark, 63 years old says Vibeke Roermark whose father worked for Falck. So she continued that tradition – for 45 years. Head of personnel department

Lives in Vanløse in her grandparents’ house Communications officer Ida Bruun Fabricius children and Vibeke Roermark herself are us- where her parents have lived. Her mother ing the toys extensively. still lives on the ground floor and Vibeke Rormark lives on the first floor with her cat After more than 45 years working in ”At heart I’m still a kid who likes to play. I re- Viggo. Falck, Vibeke Roermark has retired ally hope that I’ll always enjoy playing,” she Early retirement in April 2009 but is still for something that resembles her says and reveals what she does on Wednes- attached to Falck as an advisor – to put her days and Saturdays. vast experience to good use if necessary. playful childhood. Even if there was no Playstation back then. “I play Playstation with another old goof. We What is a great working day for you? meet and play against each other. Right now ”It’s a pretty busy day when we do some A cow is standing in Vibeke Roermark’s gar- we enjoy playing a game called Everybody’s serious problem solving or maybe have a den. However, it does not really do any cow- Golf”. good idea. Or maybe a day when I have a like things as it is made of cardboard. The machine she uses is a PS2 that she re- great talk with a colleague. Generally, I like “I was at home for three months and had ceived as a gift by her colleagues when she it when there is action involved. Sometimes nothing to do. I’ve always said that I’d like a passed 40 years working for Falck. my boss is a little worried about me. He says cow in my garden so I decided to make one I’m like a locomotive – I can’t be stopped. I myself,” says Vibeke Roermark who had as In April this year she had an eye disease and usually sit for a while and think about an as- much fun telling her perplexed boss about can no longer work full time. signment. Then I start and usually don’t stop the project as the project itself. The cow is dis- “My friends and family tell me that I should until it’s done.” eased now, however, as an angry fox attacked take up French or yoga or something like it several times. that. But what I really want to do is go back What is a bad working day for you? to my days as a child – back when there ”It’s one of those days when there’s nothing The cow is not the only odd object in Vibeke were no obligations and you could do what- to do. Or maybe a day when people argue Roermark’s garden. The 600 m2 large area is ever you wanted. So I’ll probably read books, which thankfully doesn’t happen too much. full of toys as well. The garden is a meeting tend to my garden and do whatever else I I’m not a fan of days like that.” spot for the entire family and the nieces, their feel like”, says Vibeke Roermark.

Published by: The Falck Newsletter is the Falck Editor: Karsten Krogh, Falck Graphic Production: Falck Danmark A/S Group’s international newsletter Denmark, tel. + 45 3345 6434 KLS Grafisk Hus A/S Polititorvet for Falck employees. 1780 Copenhagen V Editor-in-chief: Louis Illum Please send enquiries, com- Denmark Honoré, Falck Denmark, ments, etc. about Falck Newslet- tel. + 45 3345 6430 ter to [email protected]