New training props to help regional firies hone lifesaving skills
Published: 10th October 2018
Regional firefighters will have greater access to training facilities thanks to a new network of purpose-built props at Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) stations.
Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant officially opened the first of the new training props at Rutherford Fire Station this morning.
“This is one of seven multi-purpose training props that will be installed at fire stations across regional NSW to help ensure our firies are as prepared as possible in their vital work protecting lives and property,” Mr Grant said.
“Each prop represents an approximately $100,000 investment in firefighter training. They can be furnished to resemble a residential home and reconfigured to simulate house fires, rescues, hazardous material incidents and other emergencies.”
Training props have been delivered to FRNSW stations in Denman, Henty, Minmi, Portland and Rutherford, with another two scheduled for stations in regional NSW in early 2019.
“These facilities will reduce the need for regional firefighters to travel to Sydney and other major cities for training, enabling crews to better hone their lifesaving skills,” Mr Grant said.
Rutherford firefighters provided a demonstration of the new training prop at today’s opening, practising door entry, search and rescue, and fire attack techniques in a simulated house fire.
FRNSW Commissioner Paul Baxter said the props are designed to provide a level of realism for firefighters as they fine-tune the skills associated with firefighting, search and rescue, working at heights, gas detection, and handling of hazardous materials.
“These new training props will help ensure our firefighters are prepared for anything – and ready to help anyone, anytime, anywhere,” he said.
Commissioner Baxter said the facilities would also be utilised for multiagency training and exercises with other local emergency service workers.
“Our firefighters often work side-by-side at emergencies with NSW Police, NSW Ambulance, NSW State Emergency Service and the NSW Rural Fire Service, and these facilities will help strengthen those close working relationships,” he said.