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ties from crashed vehicles using tools such as hydraulic cutters
and spreaders.
Cpl Aiden Webster, NCO i/c of the crew, says: "Prevention of fire
is even more important than a good response and to this end we
conduct thorough weekly and monthly fire inspections of all locations.
Any issues we find are dealt with immediately to reduce the dangers
of a fire occurring."
All first responders, which include the fire crew, a duty water-truck
driver, medics and MPs, are tested with a simulated fire within the
confines of the camp on a weekly basis. This keeps everyone alert and
means that nothing will be left to chance should the worst happen
and a fire break out.
The deployment of a fire crew has been a new departure for the Engineer Corps and has refocused efforts to continue to maintain this important skillset and operational capability. The renaming of the DFTC Fire Service to the DF Fire Training Centre and DFTC Fire Services Platoon as part
of the recent reorganisation highlights this renewal of effort. At present,
qualified fire-fighters from 1 and 2 Fd Eng Coys are being rotated through
the DFTC platoon in
order to remain current
and keep up to date
with their training and
improve overall capabilities within the Corps.
A number of other
improvements to infrastructure and training
for future fire-fighting
within the Corps are
also underway. The
combined fire-fighting
training exercise held in
UNIFIL confirmed that
our training and capabilities remain to the
highest of international
standards.
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