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A group of Guernsey firefighters have completed their training and validation alongside their Isle of Man counterparts, after covid-19 halted their plans to train in the UK as usual.
Members of the airport's Fire and Rescue Service flew over to the Isle of Man earlier this month to revalidate their skills through the International Fire Training Centre.
The centre is based at Durham Tees Valley Airport in the UK, where firefighters from Guernsey and IoM normally go to train. But, due to the ongoing pandemic and travel restrictions, that wasn't able to happen this year.
“By taking advantage of the recent ‘air bridge’ flights from Guernsey to the Isle of Man operated by Aurigny, both Airport Fire and Rescue Services were able to come up with a cost effective way of receiving the required training from the IFTC, without the necessary covid-19 self-isolation requirements that would have been very disruptive for both our fire services," said Fire Service Manager at Guernsey Airport, Thomas de Carteret.
"This experience has been very positive, and I would like to thank Isle of Man Airport for being able to accommodate our firefighters and for being excellent hosts. Credit is also due to the IFTC for allowing one of their examiners to visit the Isle of Man for the course and Aurigny for enabling the trip to go ahead."
Pictured: A group of firefighters from the Guernsey Airport Fire Service were sent to the Isle of Man.
The revalidation of airport firefighters is a regulatory requirement set by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, and must be carried out every four years.
They had to deal with a range of training scenarios, from aircraft engine or undercarriage fires to aviation fuel spills, using specialist airport fire appliances, equipment and training rigs.
“Revalidation is an important part of the training and development of airport firefighters and is a chance to apply skills already learnt but also adapt to the latest new techniques and best practice in putting out fires in an aviation environment," added Guernsey Airport Fire Services' Training Co-ordinator, Pete Bretel. "All crews worked efficiently as one unit and achieved the required revalidation qualifications.
"I would like to thank all parties that made this trip possible; Isle of Man Airport, the IFTC and Aurigny. Should the Guernsey-Isle of Man ‘air bridge’ continue in some form in the future, and UK based options are not available, this method of training delivery will be considered again.”
Pictured top: Firefighters from Guernsey Airport carried out training in the Isle of Man (image courtesy of Guernsey Airport).
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