Trainers trained

Last week Belgian, Dutch and French MIRG-members were trained by their English colleagues to become MIRG-trainers themselves. The new trainers will instruct and train the new MIRGs in their own country. The first courses start in June.The new trainers were instructed at the special training facility in Calais. During the four day programme the students gained profound knowledge of the specific MIRG procedures. All procedures were discussed first, then tried out in practice. With discussion and repitition the new trainers internalized the methods and are now ready to start training of the new MIRGs and answering all the questions. The Experienced trainers from the Kent Fire and Rescue Service will be present during the first training sessions for guidance and questions.

MIRG EX is an international joint partnership. Safety Region Zeeland (NL), which brings together crisis management, fire fighters and medical assistance, is lead partner. The other partners in the project are: the Fire Brigades of Antwerp, Beveren and Ghent (BE). These brigades are linked to important international ports, that accommodate large chemical production plants. Being able to effectively fight fires on board ships is simply essential. In addition to the fire brigades, the Federal Organisation of Public Civil Assistance in Brugge, the Agency for Maritime and Coastal Services-Shipping Assistance Division and the Maatschappij van de Brugse Zeehaven nv (Zeebrugge Port Authority) are partners in the MIRG-EX project. The French Service départemental d’incendie et de secours de Pas-de-Calais and the English Kent Fire and Rescue Service complete the partnership. Both are confronted with heavy traffic on the Channel and the North Sea. An incident may be just around the corner, but this doesn’t mean it can be easily reached let alone be dealt with. Working with similar teams on both shores, reduces will help to reduce response time.