Firefighters learn some ACE rescue techniques

TRAINING complete . . . .Peter Jackson, ACE managing director, shakes hands with Watch Manager Joe Joseph, from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service

FIREFIGHTERS across the North-West are getting specialist rescue training thanks to an Oldham-based business.

A four-day course has been designed by ACE Training Solutions Ltd, in Shaw, focusing on the specific challenges of working and rescuing in confined spaces and covers everything from legislation to practical training.

The company has a state-of-the-art training areas at the Oldham site designed and built for confined space entry and rescue.

Other training areas include deep excavation, scaffolding and fire training.

Officers from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) Urban Search and Rescue Team, as we as from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, recently completed the course and were awarded with a City & Guilds Qualification.

Pete Stevenson, team commander, said the course was extremely beneficial.

He said: “The area of confined space rescue is very much specialised due to the inherent risks associated with operating within such as risk environment and the training has proven to be invaluable.”

Peter Jackson, ACE managing director, said: “This training has not only benefited the fire service but also us as a provider, as we can see their operational procedures when effecting rescues from hazardous confined space environments.”