Acclimatising to the British winter, the trainees have made quick progress at the specialist facility at Moreton-in-Marsh, where they are trained to respond to a multitude of scenarios that could occur when on duty back in Iraq. Alongside their fire training, the trainees have frequent physical exercise classes and English language tuition to ensure high levels of fitness and clear communications when back in-post in the multi-lingual oil concession. The initial 12 week course at the Fire Service College focuses on core fire-fighting skills, which are learned through practical and theoretical methods.
The 5th of March will mark their graduation, with a passing out parade and demonstrations of their newly acquired skills. Following this, the trainees will return to Iraq for a well-deserved holiday, before returning for a further two months of training, where trainees will further develop their skills and will also be split into specialist training groups to focus on the specific requirements of their roles when in post, ranging advanced breathing apparatus wearer to specialist rescue operator.
Following successful completion of the complete training courses, the fully qualified team will return to Badra and begin their careers as fire-fighters under the management of their bilingual Team Leaders and expatriate Fire Chiefs, who have accompanied them along their journey.
Once commissioned, the fire-fighters will receive on-going training and a selection, who show the most potential will be placed on an accelerated leadership development training programme. As the fire-fighters develop their skills they will be considered for the management roles, replacing the expatriate staff and training new recruits in house.
(Source: Sterling Group)
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