Two cohorts of fire officers successfully completed a course revalidating their aviation-based firefighting credentials last week.

Sixteen officers received their revalidation after they completed an exam and a practical exercise following several weeks of training by a visiting instructor, Gary Wright, from the Newcastle International Training Academy.

The instructor who is on-island for three months to conduct various training courses for fire-fighters at all levels delivered the revalidation course. 

Other topics on which he is delivering training include: breathing apparatus, supervisor re-evaluation, train-the-trainer, a basic introduction to hazardous materials, quality assurance for recent recruits, etc. 

Mr Wright is also providing recommendations on ways the department can improve and build on its current structure. Chief Fire Officer Paul Walker says the goal of the review is to build a strong and forward-looking Fire Service that is a centre-of-excellence and provides training to firefighting partners in the Caribbean and at an international level.