Devon delivers fire training in Mauritius
A new Incident Command training has been delivered by Red One to the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) via Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service (DSFRS) Academy Incident Command School.
The risks in the Mauritius area range from an international airport, shipping, major flooding, motorways, industrial manufacturing companies and a number of high-rise buildings in the commercial centre. However, the majority of fires attended by MFRS are bush fires and sugar cane field fires, which account for nearly three-quarters of their daily calls.
The Mauritian government is closely modelled on the Westminster parliamentary system and its legislation, particularly the health and safety and fire services acts are very similar to those in Britain. Mauritius Fire & Rescue Service also adopts the UK fire service rank structure and in many ways the service is similar to Devon & Somerset.
Red One designed bespoke training packages that were delivered over 14 days, which including traveling time. There were three courses encompassing Level 1 and Level 2 Incident Command requalification training. MFRS operates out of 10 wholetime fire stations.
They asked Red One to deliver training for all their officers in their locality.
The turnaround time between the acceptance of Red One’s quotation and departing the UK was less than two weeks. Whilst Red One has provided overseas work before, this assignment was a first for the Incident Command School staff, who were impressed by the care, speed and efficiency of the arrangements made that included risk assessments, insurance, passport checks, and travel arrangements.
Delivering the courses were three highly qualified and experienced instructors, Ben Williams, Joe Hassell and Jon Chalk, who prepared, instructed and evaluated the various levels of courses being presented through the assignment.
This meant that the MFRS officers received tailored Incident Command training in their own environment that reflected their own risks and utilised their own appliances, equipment and resources.
Jon Chalk, Incident Command instructor said: “The training delivered in the islands capital of Port Louis, was extremely well received. During the two weeks’ course we all noticed a real improvement in standards that we felt would help the Mauritius service in achieving its prime objective of prompt response to firefighting, rescue operations and improving safety of the staff and public. We also provided a ‘train the trainer’ course to two of the station officers within the training unit, enabling the cascade of the training across the rest of the service.
“On completion of the training, all delegates were invited back to the training unit for an official ceremony, where certificates were awarded.”
The instructors successfully delivered requalification training as well as identifying areas for improvement. The training provided the Mauritius Officers with tools to improve their incident command system, as well as other aspects of operational incident management based on the valuable experiences and lessons the Incident Command team has acquired in the UK.
Chris Thain, Commercial Business Development Manager for DSFRS and a Director of Red One said: ”The delivery of this important safety training exemplifies how as a service we can develop and deliver commercial products that benefit our colleagues and customers locally, nationally and internationally.”
