Highlands join new safety fire unit
The fire service is working with Highlands and Islands Airport Ltd to improve safety and reduce risks to local communities, with a new unit unveiled today (Wednesday, March 25).
The Compartment Fire Behaviour Training (CFBT) unit was announced at Dundee Airport, chief officer Alasdair Hay welcoming the move.
“This significant investment contributes towards the organisation’s strategic objective to provide more equitable access to fire service resources across the country,” he said.
The project is part of a three-year programme coordinated by Training and Employee Development and Property Services.
Some £400k was allocated to the new facility at Dundee Airport, with further investment scheduled for 2015-17 to provide similar training facilities at other HIAL sites based at Inverness, Stornoway and Kirkwall.
Mr Hay welcomed the expansion of the service: “Our primary aim is to ensure all employees have the skills and knowledge required to perform their role competently, with the focus of increasing firefighter safety and reducing risk to our local communities.
“Improving the quality, efficiency and infrastructure of training provision and commercial opportunities through this effective partnership enables us to ensure that effective training is provided to all employees to a consistent, professional standard and quality, irrespective of geographical location.”
Minister for Community Safety Paul Wheelhouse said: “The Scottish Government is fully committed to supporting the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and other relevant partners to continue to reduce the number of fires and fire related injuries in our communities.
“This successful continued partnership between the SFRS and the Highlands and Islands Airport Ltd is excellent news for communities and firefighters alike. It builds on one of our key areas of reform by protecting and improving local services while demonstrating the strong commitment made by SFRS to beneficial partnership working.”
David Hackett, Airport Fire Service Operations Manager for HIAL, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. As one of the largest airport fire groups in the UK, our professional firefighters train for a wide variety of potential scenarios, which are quite distinct from the challenges faced by SFRS fire fighters.
“We therefore welcome the opportunity to work with the team at SFRS and share best practice. It will be a valuable learning experience for both partners. We look forward to expanding this partnership approach at other HIAL airports.”
