30 October 2007
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has proved it is at the forefront of modern training and technology with the installation of a new Command Training Suite.
The high-tech suite, which runs Hydra and Minerva simulation programmes, shows a real commitment by WYFRS to providing personnel with what is one of the best command training facilities in the country.
Chief Fire Officer Phil Toase said: “We already have some of the best trained officers in the UK, but this will enhance their training and hone their critical decision making skills.
“The programmes are as realistic as possible because they are based on real situations. In West Yorkshire we pride ourselves on our forward-thinking, and this facility will enable our personnel to be prepared for any situation. We are committed to making West Yorkshire safer, and the Command Training Suite will certainly help us achieve this.”
Brigades from other areas of the country also travel to West Yorkshire to use the suite, which is based at West Yorkshire’s International Training Centre at its Birkenshaw headquarters.
Hydra is a training simulator which provides pupils with scenarios, on which they form tactics and make decisions as a group. It is currently used by everyone, from Chief Fire Officer to Crew Manager.
Minerva is a training simulator run in real-time, which is designed to replicate a real emergency as closely as possible.
Students are given specific roles and they communicate with each other and a simulated Mobilising and Control Centre via radio, as in real life. They are free to move from room to room, as they would be able to move position on the fire ground.
The Minerva scenarios use role-play and students make their decisions based on information they extract from various contacts and the image of the incident they see on the screen. This image is controlled and changed by a facilitator, according to the decisions they make.
Following all exercises, the students assemble in the debriefing room, where decisions and tactics are discussed. It gives the students the opportunity to experience working with any type of incident, at any level, within a safe and challenging environment, and allows them to learn from errors and share good practice.
Watch Manager Paul Suchi, Command Training Manager, said: “We incorporate into our scenarios problems identified at real incidents both locally and nationally.
“The programmes help the thought process and give personnel an awareness which they can then use in real-life situations.
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