B.V.I. Monday, April 6 – A little over a week after the first cadre of fire officers completed a training course facilitated by the Recruit Academy for Emergency Services Training Institute in Texas, another cadre of six officers were deployed today. 

Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Mr. William Penn told the Department of Information and Public Relations that Messrs Eric Cameron, Dinsley Samuels, Giovanni Fahie, Jason Dunkley, and Philip Glasgow were the officers selected to attend the second session of the training. 

In speaking with some of the officers, there appears to be high expectations for this training session. “I expect this course to be really challenging especially the physical part.  I also expect to gain a lot of knowledge, information and physical strength that will enable me carry out my job to the best of my ability,” Mr. Phillip Glasgow said. Mr. Eric Cameron expects to have increased knowledge in the areas of rescue, hazardous materials and fire fighting. “The course is expected to be an extreme physical regimen and I am looking forward to that,” Mr. Cameron further stated.

“This training initiative was funded by the Ministry of Communications and Works with the aim of increasing the fire fighting capacity of Fire and Rescue Services and to ensure that fire personnel are properly trained,” stated Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. John Samuel.

As part of the training session the officers will be exposed to fire fighting operations, hazardous material awareness and operations, breathing apparatus operation and emergency vehicle operations.  Courses will be delivered by lectures, video and skill presentations, demonstrations, student teaching sessions and practical fire ground exercises.

“The training of our personnel illustrates the commitment that the Fire and Rescue Service has to protecting life and property from the effects of fire and all other man-made and natural accidents and disasters. We wish the six officers deployed good luck and we look forward to see the benefits of the training,” Mr. Penn concluded. 

The Fire and Rescue Service is committed to protecting life and property from the effects of fire and all other man-made and natural accidents and disasters.