2

LENS

LOCALLY MADE

AIRBAGS practical, Field Ready has followed the principles of

CE marking to ensure its designs are safe to use. The

not‑for‑profit is also aiming to meet British safety

standards for lifting bag systems used by

professional fire and rescue services. Field Ready’s

process and test results are openly shared and

encouraged to be reproduced to ensure authenticity;

however, Field Ready strongly recommends

requesting its technical support due to safety

concerns. The resulting devices are not only able to

be locally manufactured, but are capable of lifting up

to five tons in an emergency situation.

Usamah Shamma and Hamada Aaroub represent

Field Ready’s team on the ground. Usamah, who

attended school in Aleppo and earned his

university degree in Mechanical Engineering,

developed the design and process to locally

manufacture the airbag systems himself. Until the

onset of the Syrian Civil War, he lived and worked

in Aleppo, producing horizontal lifters and hydraulic

pistons while consulting in the development of

rescue and firefighting equipment. Hamada was

born in a small town in the countryside of Aleppo

where he graduated from Aleppo University with a

degree in Engineering. Later, Hamada worked as

part of the Syrian Civil Defence as head of the

technical office in Aleppo, responsible for cars and

technical equipment until the opportunity to join

Field Ready emerged.

MAKING IN THE FIELD!

When Usamah was asked what interested him in

working with Field Ready, he replied, “The most

important thing that motivated me to work with

Field Ready is the idea that humanitarian supplies

can be made in the field, using modern technology

to make products that help people who are

suffering from crises. That’s exactly what my

people need nowadays. It’s like I found my passion

for making things and inventions with Field Ready.

What is impressive when we work together is that

we deal with each other like a family, and that’s

really great”.

Hamanda was intrigued by Field Ready for similar

reasons, “I was most attracted to work at Field

Ready because of the wonderful nature of its work.

It’s about approaching the most difficult challenges

differently. This stimulates creativity within us and

provides a chance to serve my community

differently from other organisations. My ambition is

to invent easy and uncomplicated ways of

addressing technical problems in my country. With

Field Ready, I am working, learning, and always add

to my experience.”

Together, Usamah and Hamada have handmade

and distributed 100 airbags for Syrian Civil Defence,

saving the organisation over $450 000 in

humanitarian supply costs when compared with the

commercial alternatives. Every kit consists of four

airbags, pressure regulators, valve boxes, and

connection accessories – with all parts produced and

assembled by Usamah and Hamada in Syria.

The airbags are constructed from two layers of

1 mm thick polyester with a protective vinyl

coating. Vinyl-coated polyester is more commonly

used for tent covers and truck sides as it is

waterproof and resistant to dirt, mildew, oil, salt,

chemicals, and UV rays.

When Usamah was asked how people have

responded to their work in Syria, he simply replies,

“They are inspired and amazed that we could make

things with simple materials and equipment, and

those products are efficient and reliable. People now

really respect what we do, and try to help us. It’s

something totally new in Syria. We won’t leave our

country – and Field Ready helps me help my people.

And the whole world could help us by stopping this

crazy war.”

“Working in Syria involves a lot of risks. You’re

exposed to bombing, air strikes, and car bombs at

any time, so you’ll probably get hurt or lose your life

at any moment. Moreover, travelling is not easy and

not safe. You can’t go and travel any time you like.

Sometimes a whole area and villages are closed

temporarily because of war conditions, and there

are very dangerous areas like areas on the front

lines.” – Usamah Shamma, Field Ready engineer

A view from the ground

Left

“Humanitarian

supplies can be made

in the field, using

modern technology to

make products that

help people who are

suffering from crises”

Credit

Field Ready