By Hadi Fornaji.
Malta is running courses for Libyans on fire-fighting and rescue at aircraft crashes. A first batch of Mellitah Oil . . .[restrict]& Gas staff has just finished training at the island’s International Safety Training College (ISTC).
The three-week programme included rescue techniques, aircraft evacuation procedures, incident command, internal and external fire-fighting, working with breathing apparatus, the application of foam and other extinguishing agents and the use of hoses, nozzles and water monitors. There was also a module on aviation legislation.
The organisers say that much emphasis was placed on teamwork and effective communications. The course was taught in collaboration with Malta International Airport, with some of the training taking place at the airport.
“Mellitah has many installations throughout Libya and, due to their rural locations, they’re best reached by air travel,” explained Andrew Gilravey, ISTC’s operations chief for Malta & Libya. “Therefore, most have their own airstrips, which obviously require emergency response personnel and aviation fire-fighters who are trained and competent to deal with any aircraft incidents. This is where our training comes in.”
Mellitah’s fire-fighting teams have been trained to a predetermined and accredited level, fit for duty at up to Category 6 airfields and which will satisfy the civil aviation authority in Libya.
“Some students have already finished their training, while others are due to start shortly,” said Mr Gilravey. “There will be further courses until the end of September.”
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