A dozen firefighters have started a two-week training of trainers course to enhance their knowledge and better equip them with new skills for them to be able to train new firefighters.

The training, which is taking place at the Maritime Training Centre at Providence, is being led by Dirk Moller, a fire instructor expert from the Emergency Training Solutions (ETS) based in South Africa.

It has been organised by the Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency (SFRSA) and it is in line with its continuing effort to upgrade the standard and quality of its personnel in delivering more professional services.

The SFRSA divisional officer Regis Bethew launched the first training of its kind to be organised here.
The course is considered very important as it will enable the SFRSA to continuously train its personnel to make them more professional and independent.

How to better manage emergencies is the aim of a follow-up training that a group of firefighters is attending.

For the past two years the Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency (SFRSA) has been organising courses to upgrade the standard and quality of its staff so that they can deliver a more professional service. An Incident Command course was one of the courses that were delivered at intermediate level in 2012 for 12 staff members.

This year, this same group is being given the chance to better their understanding of the subject through an Advance Incident Command course.

The five-day course which opened on Monday at the Maritime Training Centre at Providence is being facilitated by Dennis Locker from the Emergency Training Services (ETS) of South Africa.

Rescue and safety gets big boost

The Seychelles Lifeguards Unit, which in the past was part of the Seychelles Police Force, has been transferred to the Seychelles Fire & Rescue Services Agency (SFRSA) as from yesterday.

According to a communiqué from the Department of Internal Affairs, following a review and consultation process, it was decided that the services of the lifeguards will better serve the public if the unit was transferred to the SFRSA, given that they share the same mission of undergoing rescue operations and ensuring the safety of the population. 

The Unit will continue to maintain its core responsibilities, which are ensuring the safe use of beaches by bathers and when required, the rescue of distressed swimmers and application of first aid.

The Minister for Home Affairs and Transport Joel Morgan said that the change will bring more efficiency in the service. 
“This move forms part of government’s continued plan to streamline and rationalise its various departments, in regards to their assignment of functions. The merging of the Seychelles Lifeguards Unit to the SFRSA is essential at this juncture as we can build upon the positive synergies that exist between the two organisations, making the services they offer more effective and efficient,” he said.

The Seychelles Lifeguards Unit, which in the past was part of the Seychelles Police Force, has been transferred to the Seychelles Fire & Rescue Services Agency (SFRSA) as from yesterday.

According to a communiqué from the Department of Internal Affairs, following a review and consultation process, it was decided that the services of the lifeguards will better serve the public if the unit was transferred to the SFRSA, given that they share the same mission of undergoing rescue operations and ensuring the safety of the population.

LA DIGUE GETS MORE FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT

The tourism sector on Seychelles and in particular on the island of La Digue has warmly welcomed the news that a dedicated fire brigade station is to be constructed. On the day of leaving the archipelago following a week long fact finding mission it was confirmed that the Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services has signed a contract to build the islands first ever fire station at La Passe.

The government of Seychelles has set aside over 4.6 million SRs and work is due to start in early October, when the chosen contractor has mobilized resources.

The contract was signed in the presence of he Hon. Joel Morgan, Minister responsible for Home Affairs and notably also Mr. Barry Faure, who is the Chairman of the Seychelles Tourist Board.

An Italian Blue Panorama B757-200 aircraft with 130 passengers and 8 crew on board landed safely at Seychelles International Airport Pointe Larue after it was declared an emergency 18 minutes after take-off from Seychelles.

Flight BPA3277 departed Seychelles International Airport at 0015 local time, for Rome Fumicino, slightly earlier than scheduled. At 0033 the pilot contacted the Seychelles air traffic control tower and declared an emergency due to a cracked passenger cabin window.