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2022-03-31-accounts

OPERATION 5ABRE WELP ANNUAL REPORT 2021/22

Table of Contents

Subject: Page:
Welcome 2
Charity Particulars 3
Overview 4
Our Vision and Mission 5
Where we operate 6
Summary of our activities 7
Protecting Communities 8
Protection from Fire 9
Supporting the Vulnerable 10
Supporting Ukraine 11
Our Income and Expenditure 12
Our Accounts 2021/22 13
Acknowledgements 14
Appendix A: Business Plan
2021/22		 15
Appendix B: Code of Conduct 16
References 17

OPERATION SABRE ANNUAL REPORT 2021/22 ©

1

Welcome

Welcome to the 2021/22 Annual Report of Operation Sabre, a report that records the activities of our small charity, doing its best, to support the most vulnerable of Romania.

As 2021 drew to a close, nations across the globe must have thought that life could finally get back to normal, as collectively, we had seen off the worst of the pandemic. Little could any of us truly have foreseen that at the beginning of 2022, the horrors of war that were to fall upon Ukraine, Romania’s immediate neighbour to the north.

As a small and yet agile charity, Operation Sabre, working with existing and trusted Romanian partners, has re-prioritised its efforts to assist and provide immediate aid to those who are supporting the thousands of Ukrainian refugees that now seek sanctuary in Romania

Steve Worrall BEM PhD MBA President Operation Sabre

We are in indebted to the generosity of our benefactors and partners for their much appreciated support.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Operation Sabre takes its name from the predominant type of fire engine the charity has delivered to Romania, the DENNIS SABRE . The charity’s emblem depicts two crossed sabres denoting ‘readiness to protect’ surmounted by a Victorian fire helmet, representing the ‘traditions and values’ of the fire and rescue service. The crossed sabres and helmet are encircled by an eight pointed star that signifies the cross of Saint John. The eight points or 'tenets' represent the knightly virtues of - Tact, Gallantry, Dexterity, Observation, Perseverance, Loyalty, Explicitness and Sympathy.

OPERATION SABRE ANNUAL REPORT 2021/22 ©

2

Charity Particulars

CHARITY DETAILS

TRUSTEES

  - Dr Steve Worrall (President)

  - Mr Malcolm Price (Vice-President)

  - Cllr Leslie Rennie

  - Ms Jean Jones

  - Mrs Kathy Hall

  - Mr Steve Purslow

  - Mr John Harrison

  - Mr Mark Briscoe

  - Mr Andy Price

Copyright © 2023 Operation Sabre

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form without the prior written permission of the Board of Trustees.

Operation Sabre is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with voting rights for members and Trustees. All Trustees are required to stand down after twelve months, with new elections taken at the Annual General Meeting. Trustees are required to sign the Charity Commission’s Trustee Eligibility Declaration and abide by the Commission’s prescribed responsibilities for Trustees.

OPERATION SABRE ANNUAL REPORT 2021/22 ©

3

Overview…

Operation Sabre’s vision is to assist in shaping the future of Transylvania, by preserving and protecting its communities and heritage from the effects of fire and other emergencies. In doing so, public benefit is achieved through the sharing of knowledge, expertise, equipment and resources to advance the understanding of fire protection, prevention and emergency response arrangements.

Two visits to Romania were conducted during 2021/22. The primary focus of these visits was to share knowledge and expertise, and to this end, specialist training courses in Fire Investigation and Incident Command arrangements were delivered to professional fire officers. In addition, further work was undertaken to install fire and smoke alarms within the many residential care homes now supported by Operation Sabre.

Our humanitarian aid programme was expanded to assist not only the vulnerable of Romania, but also those taking sanctuary in Romania from the bullets and bombs falling upon Ukraine. This has led to the purchase of two minibuses, which have been donated to the Romanian Orthodox Church operating in Argeş and Mures Counties. The short-term purpose for these vehicles is to assist in the transportation of humanitarian aid and refugees. Long-term, the minibuses will be retained and used by Romanian orphanages.

OPERATION SABRE ANNUAL REPORT 2021/22 ©

4

Our Vision and Mission...

OUR VISION: Helping to shape the future of Transylvania, Romania by preserving and protecting its communities and heritage from the effects of fire and other emergencies

OUR MISSION: To share knowledge, expertise, equipment and resources to advance the understanding of protection, prevention and response to fire and other emergencies

OUR OBJECTIVES:

MAKING IT HAPPEN:

The strategy for turning our vision into reality is set out in our Business Plan 2021/22 (see attached Appendix A), a Plan underpinned by Good Governance arrangements and a genuine passion to help others. A summary of our income and expenditure is provided at pages 12 and 13

OPERATION SABRE ANNUAL REPORT 2021/22 ©

5

Where we operate…

Since 2012, Operation Sabre has operated in Transylvania, supporting both professional (Inspectoratul pentru Situaţii de Urgenţă (ISU) – Emergency Situations Inspectorate) and community volunteer fire services in the counties of Alba, Bihor, Brasov, Harghita and Mures. During 2021/22, the total number of vehicles delivered by the charity since 2012 now stands at 55.

OPERATION SABRE ANNUAL REPORT 2021/22 ©

6

Summary of our activities…

Our Strategy for 2021/22

To operate with professionalism, integrity and honesty, demonstrating at all times respect and dignity towards each other and the communities we strive to support

To create and promote partnerships that support the advancement of Operation Sabre’s objectives in Romania. Specifically, this will include awareness raising, fundraising, grant applications and vehicle/equipment/uniform acquisitions

Summary of our activities during 2021/22

Operation Sabre continually strives to deliver humanitarian assistance as a professional proactive initiative to enhance the fire protection, prevention and response arrangements provided by Transylvania’s fire and rescue services. In delivering such assistance, we are proud to declare that we continue to be formally recognised as signatories to the Code of Conduct1 of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Operation Sabre has reviewed and enhanced its arrangements for the Safeguarding of Vulnerable Persons and also Data Protection. The charity is compliant to the Data Protection Regulations 2018 and registered with the UK Information Commissioner’s Office.

Operation Sabre has created partnerships with a number of UK fire and rescue services and CAFFRA2 that assist in the provision of uniform, equipment and vehicles. In addition, Operation Sabre is a formal member of the UK’s overarching fire related charity - FireAid.3

Within Romania, Operation Sabre is grateful for the continuing assistance, support and friendship received from key partners responsible for professional fire service provision.

During 2021/22 Operation Sabre has endeavoured to deliver information events to community groups in the UK via online Zoom presentations and in person, with the objective of raising awareness. Sadly, the number of events during 2021 was limited due to the ongoing safety concerns regarding Covid at mass gatherings. As a consequence, fundraising through these events has diminished considerably. Notwithstanding the latter, the events in Ukraine have generated significant donations in support of Romanian partners who are caring for the refugees.

To establish, in collaboration with professional Romanian Fire & Rescue Services a medium and long term partnership strategy for the protection, prevention and response to fire and other emergencies in Transylvania

To promote and foster the spirit of ‘volunteering’ for the benefit of public goodwill, community wellbeing and health in Transylvania

To undertake an impact assessment of the implications of ‘BREXIT’ upon the achievement of Operation Sabre’s Objectives

Operation Sabre continues to have constructive and productive professional partnerships, particularly with ISU Bihor and ISU Mures, partnerships that enable the protection of communities and prevention of fire. This has led to the delivery of Fire Investigation and Incident Command training courses during 2022.

Community wellbeing and goodwill was further enhanced during 2021/22 through the donation several tonnes of Operation Sabre humanitarian aid stock to international efforts and agencies dealing with the Ukrainian refugee crisis, together with the donation of two minibuses.

Operation Sabre continues to monitor the impact of BREXIT. The long-term impact is the prevention of the import of non-EU right-hand drive vehicles into Romania effective from 1st January 2021.

OPERATION SABRE ANNUAL REPORT 2021/22 ©

7

Sharing knowledge and Expertise…

In March 2022, two specialist teams of instructors from Operation Sabre visited ISU Bihor to deliver two five-day training courses, covering Fire Investigation and Incident Command.

Adopting the most up to date methods of instruction, the Fire Investigation course provided students with an in-depth knowledge regarding the science of fire behaviour and its causes, both natural and intentional. Students were subjected to a number of live fire exercises and challenged with establishing, though forensic investigation, the cause and source of ignition and subsequent spread of fire.

Aimed at Level 2/Silver fire commanders, the Incident Command training course provided students with an introduction to the internationally recognised UK Incident Command System. Students participated in several role-play floor-plan exercises designed to test their leadership, command and communication skills.

It is pleasing to report that ISU Bihor has now adopted elements of the UK approach to incident command, and has requested Operation Sabre to provide further training courses during 2023.

OPERATION SABRE ANNUAL REPORT 2021/22 ©

8

Protection from fire…

Building upon an initiative originally launched in 2019, Operation Sabre has continued to provide fire safety equipment to the many residential care homes it now supports in both Bihor and Mures Counties. The initiative aims to improve the early detection and warning of fire, and aid evacuation. The programme includes the donation and installation of:

During 2022, the programme was expanded to include various venues in Bihor County used to provide support and accommodation to Ukrainian refugees and also a large kindergarten for vulnerable children in the village of Șăulia, Mures County.

OPERATION SABRE ANNUAL REPORT 2021/22 ©

9

Supporting the vulnerable…

Members of Operation Sabre continue to hold a deep and meaningful passion to support the most vulnerable in Romanian society. To this end, and with the assistance of partners in ISU Bihor and ISU Mures, the following projects were funded during 2021/22:

OPERATION SABRE ANNUAL REPORT 2021/22 ©

10

Supporting Ukraine…

Members of Operation Sabre, but moreover our supporters, have been shocked and saddened by the events taking place in Ukraine.

Within a few days of the war breaking out on 24[th] February 2022, Operation Sabre launched a fund raising appeal, which by the close of this reporting year (31[st] March 2022), had achieved the following:

OPERATION SABRE ANNUAL REPORT 2021/22 ©

11

Our income and expenditure…

We remain extremely grateful to our sponsors, in particular Holcim (Romania) and our many local benefactors, for their continued support and generosity. Operation Sabre is not in receipt of any UK Government or European Commission/Union funding, nor does it hold any assets or investments.

All members of Operation Sabre are unpaid volunteers and undertake all fundraising, preparation and visit activities in their own time and choose not to receive any personal expenses for their actions.

100% of all donations received are reinvested into humanitarian aid projects supporting the most vulnerable in Romania. Sponsorship, from organisations such as Holcim, contributes to travel, accommodation and insurance overheads, etc to meet the charity’s objectives.

OPERATION SABRE ANNUAL REPORT 2021/22 ©

12

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

RECEIPTS
Mayors contribution for appliances
Specialist Fire training
Donations Romania
Donations Ukrainian Refugees
Sponsored events
Fundraising - talks
Members subscriptions
Gift for hosts
Wizzair refund (paid 2019/20)
Uniform sales
Gift Aid - Romania
Gift Aid - Ukrainian Refugees
PAYMENTS
Appliance and equipment costs - purchase 2019
- repairs and preparation 2020
Appliance and equipment costs - purchase
Transportation costs - fuel. tolls etc
- ferries/flights
- additional drivers, transport & accomm
- aid transportation costs
- health & welfare, admin
Aborted training costs October 2021
Specialist Fire training March 2022
Humanitarian trip expenses November 2022
Insurance
Handover ceremonies
Humanitarian aid Romania
Humanitarian capital spend
Humanitarian Aid Ukrainian Refugees
Fundraising – donation gift sacks & pens
Gift for hosts
Storage
Miscellaneous
BANK BALANCE
Opening balance as at 1 April
Plus receipts
Less payments
Surplus/Deficit
Bank balance as at 31 March
REPRESENTED BY
Lloyds account balance at 31 March
Paypal donations pending at 31 March		 £ p
0.00
0.00		 2021/22
£ p
0.00
0.00
11,976.47
10,994.44
0.00
1,450.70
170.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
2,280.79
817.13
27,689.53
£ p
0.00
0.00
0.00
834.97
1,745.57
1,412.38
712.73
0.00
868.01
21,120.21
3,793.01
65.00
170.40
420.00
105.00
31,247.28
£ p
21,632.74
-3,557.75
18,074.99
17,699.99
375.00
18,074.99		 £ p
0.00
551.13		 2020/21
£ p
12,000.00
0.00
2,390.75
0.00
150.00
0.00
240.00
46.00
96.00
0.00
306.48
0.00
15,229.23
£ p
551.13
0.00
2,757.40
726.85
32.77
2,535.02
2,467.49
133.90
155.10
468.99
243.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00		 1,414.95
378.00
611.39
272.86
80.20
£ p
27,689.53
-31,247.28		 £ p
15,229.23
-10,071.65
10,071.65
£ p
16,475.16
5,157.58
21,632.74

OPERATION SABRE ANNUAL REPORT 2021/22 ©

13

Acknowledgments…

The trustees and members of Operation Sabre wish to record their appreciation to their families and friends, for their continued support, tolerance and perseverance.

To the numerous benefactors, be these individuals or corporate organisations, for their financial support and donated aid (from knitwear to defibrillators…) we thank you.

To Holcim (Romania), thanks you for sponsoring the specialist training courses, your investment in Operation Sabre, is an investment in Romania.

To Colonel Rares Petre of ISU Mures, we wish you well in your recent retirement and thank you for your friendship, generosity and support received over the last ten years.

And finally, to our Romanian friends without whose friendship, support and Romanian hospitality our own lives would not have been so enriched through unique and life-changing experiences. In particular, we wish to thank Chief Inspectors - Handrea Cälin, Coba Sorin and all of their officers and staff from their respective ISUs, the staff and residents of the care homes we support in Căpușu de Câmpie, Saniob, Sângeru De Pădure Sighisoara, Targu Mureş, and to all the local Mayors and their communities in Bihor and Mureş Counties.

Multumesc, Diolch, Danke & Thank you

OPERATION SABRE ANNUAL REPORT 2021/22 ©

14

Appendix A- Business Plan 2021/22 5AIRF OPERATION SABRE ANNUAL REPORT 2021122 15

Appendix B – Code of Conduct

Operation Sabre, as a charity, is rooted in the traditions and values of the fire service and founded on mutual respect and trust between its membership and the communities it serves. To ensure the continuing integrity of Operation Sabre, the highest standards of ethical conduct must be maintained at all times. Incorporated within the code of conduct are the ‘Standards of Conduct’ issued by the United Nations.[4]

All participants involved in the activities of Operation Sabre ( be these at the planning, preparation or execution stages ) are bound by the following rules:

  1. Always conduct yourself in a manner that reflects positively on yourself, Operation Sabre, your employing Service/Organisation, your hosts, the United Kingdom and the fire service in general.

  2. Dress, think, talk, act and behave in a manner befitting the dignity of a disciplined, caring, considerate, mature, respected and trusted member of Operation Sabre, displaying the highest integrity and impartiality.

  3. Have pride in your position as a member of Operation Sabre and do not abuse or misuse your authority.

  4. Respect the law of the land of the host country, their local culture, traditions, customs and practices.

  5. Treat the inhabitants of the host country with respect, courtesy and consideration. You are there as a guest to help them and in so doing will be welcomed with admiration.

  6. Do not indulge in immoral acts of sexual, physical or psychological abuse or exploitation of the local population or fellow members of Operation Sabre.

  7. Respect and regard the human rights of all. Support and aid the infirm, sick and weak.

  8. Show respect for and promote the environment, including the flora and fauna, of the host country.

  9. Exercise the utmost discretion in handling confidential information and matters of official business which can compromise security or individual confidentiality.

  10. Accept responsibility for your actions and for the consequences of your actions.

  11. Support the concept of fairness and the value of diverse thoughts and opinions.

  12. Avoid situations that would adversely affect the credibility or public perception of the fire service profession and that of Operation Sabre.

  13. Be truthful and honest at all times and report instances of cheating or other dishonest acts that compromise the integrity of the fire service and that of Operation Sabre.

  14. Conduct your personal affairs in a manner that does not improperly influence the performance of your duties, or bring discredit to the fire service profession and that of Operation Sabre.

  15. Be respectful and conscious of your hosts and each member’s safety and welfare.

  16. Recognise that you serve in a position of public trust that requires stewardship in the honest and efficient use of resources, which are funded through donations (including uniforms, vehicles and equipment), and that these are protected from misuse and theft.

  17. Exercise professionalism, competence, respect and loyalty in the performance of your duties and use information, confidential or otherwise, gained by virtue of your position, only to benefit those you are entrusted to serve.

  18. Avoid financial investments, business interests or activities that conflict with or are enhanced by your position in Operation Sabre or have the potential to create the perception of impropriety.

  19. Never propose or accept personal rewards, special privileges, benefits, advancement, honours or gifts that may create a conflict of interest, or the appearance thereof.

  20. Never engage in activities involving alcohol or other substance use or abuse that can impair your mental state or the performance of your duties and compromise safety.

  21. Never discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, creed, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual preference, medical condition or handicap.

  22. Never harass, intimidate or threaten fellow members of Operation Sabre, your hosts or the public and stop or report the actions of other team members or hosts who engage in such behaviours.

  23. Never take photographs and/or video of children, young adults, vulnerable persons, military personnel and military installations without the express permission of both the relevant host and a Trustee from Operation Sabre.

  24. Responsibly use social networking/media, electronic communications, or other media technology opportunities in a manner that does not discredit, dishonour or embarrass Operation Sabre, your hosts, the fire service and the public.

OPERATION SABRE ANNUAL REPORT 2021/22 ©

16

References

1 http://www.ifrc.org/en/publications-and-reports/code-of-conduct/

2 http://www.caffra.org/

3 - http://www.fire aid.org/ 4 https:peacekeeping.un.org/en/standards-of-conduct

OPERATION SABRE ANNUAL REPORT 2021/22 ©

17

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