Firefighters Complete Marine Firefighting Training

Twenty-four firefighters from the Barbados Fire Service and two members of the Barbados Coast Guard created history on Friday when they successfully completed the first Marine Firefighting for Land-based Firefighters training course.

The one week training programme sought to expose the participants to firefighting techniques and concepts which would enable them to effectively mitigate incidents in a marine environment. The course was conducted by the Barbados Fire Service in collaboration with Hillsborough Community College and the Barbados Community College.

Course instructor Keith Williams commended the participants for the dedication and commitment shown during the training programme. He also urged them to utilise the knowledge and skills obtained from the course and encouraged them to pursue additional training in this area with a view to strenghening the fire departments capacity to respond to marine incidents.

The closing ceremony was held at the Barbados Community College Industry Services Unit on the Harbour Road, and was attended by Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs Ms. Dianne Campbell, acting Deputy Principal of the Barbados Community College Dr. Sylvia Hackett, Lieutenant Commander Shurland of the Barbados Coast Guard, acting Chief Fire Officer Eric Rice and other Fire Service officials.