GFRS Gearing back
Like most organisations, the Gibraltar Fire and Rescue Service’s training schedule, has been slowly returning to some form of normality, after being seriously disrupted by the COVID-19 Pandemic.
As soon as restrictions allowed, personnel were engaged in both local and overseas training events, resulting in a busy schedule of late.
Incident Command Course – ICL3
Station Officers Jason Mesilio and Adrian McComb completed the Advanced Tactical Incident Command course (ICL 3) at the Fire Service College (FSC) in Moreton-In-Marsh, Gloucestershire. The course provides delegates with the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding, to perform advanced tactical incident commander duties when managing larger and more serious incidents.
Tactical Ventilation Instructor Course
Also at The Fire Service College, Sub/Officer Jared Olivero and Leading Fire Fighter Martin Posso, together with colleagues from the Airport Fire and Rescue Service, attended Tactical Ventilation Instructor’s Course,
This course encapsulated “modern” firefighting techniques, whereby fires and products of combustion are mechanically and/or naturally managed, in order to create less arduous environments for fire fighters and survivable conditions for trapped occupants.
HM Naval Base Exercise – HMS Dragon
Closer to home, personnel took part in an exercise on board HMS Dragon. Simulating a fire on board the vessel, GFRS personnel, assisted by the vessel’s crew, conducted “search and rescue” and firefighting operations. This provided an excellent opportunity to test various aspects of our response, including JESIP interoperability principles.
A Time To Remember
A wreath was laid to commemorate the armistice and to honour The Fallen. Station Officer Jason Mesilio, proudly represented the GFRS at both events.
The Minister with responsibility for Fire and Rescue Services, the Hon Samantha Sacramento, also added “Training enables firefighters to learn new skills and techniques in order to make their jobs safer. Training days such as these keep firefighters active and engaged in this important field of work. It serves so many purposes that it is imperative for all firefighters to undertake as many courses and training events as possible to strengthen the capabilities of our Fire Service.”
Ultimate Goal
The Minister for Sport, the Hon Steven Linares met with local female footballer Shania Robba who is taking part in The Ultimate Goal Season 2, currently showing on BT Sports 1.
The Ultimate Goal, now in its second season, is a football academy programme in search for the next female football star, featuring 26 players recruited from around the globe. The academy is run by former and present superstars of football with the participants receiving masterclasses, guidance and mentorship assisting them in their football careers. The final stage of the competition is an 11- a-side football match against top class opposition in front of dozens of scouts from all around the world.
Each week the programme follows the life of one of the competitors, with Shania who is currently in the last 16 of the competition featuring in an episode filmed in Gibraltar.
Minister Linares said, “I wish to publicly congratulate Shania for her great achievement and joining so many Gibraltarian sportsmen and women in placing Gibraltar on the world stage of sports. Her hard work, determination and the many hours of training since a very young age is reflected in her success. I wish her all the best in the programme and in all her sporting endeavours.”
School Visits To HMS Dragon
Having just appeared on the big screen in the latest James Bond adventure, HMS Dragon provided the perfect venue for what turned out to be an action-packed adventure for Gibraltarian schoolchildren.
They had opportunities to find out more about the wide range of roles and equipment on board and to get hands-on with some very special activities.
From sitting in the Captain’s chair to working on their firefighting skills using hoses, the children were fascinated by all that they saw. They even used binoculars to try and spot their school from on board!
Vicky Stephens, St Christopher’s Early Years Foundation Stage Leader said, “It was brilliant to be able to provide an insight into the world in which some of their parents work.”
Sonia Lopez, headteacher from St Bernard’s added, “I can’t thank the crew of HMS Dragon enough for the simply phenomenal tour given to our children today. The children had an amazing time which I am sure they will hold dear in their memories for many, many years to come. The teachers who attended said it was the best educational visit they had ever been on.”
