If all goes well, future fire officers will have the opportunity to get an associate’s degree while they earn their fire-fighting certification.
Chief Fire Officer Errol Maynard made that announcement at the closing ceremony of the Barbados Fire Academy’s auxiliary fire officers recruit Course 39, which was held at the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology recently.
During his address, Maynard said despite the pandemic, they accomplished many goals.
One of them was placing a greater focus on emergency medical technician (EMT) training, as 16 of the participants took part in that aspect of the programme, which was offered in collaboration with the Barbados Community College (BCC) and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
“Over the last year and throughout the pandemic we were able to get a few programmes certified by BCC – Fire Fighting I, II and III which are commonly known as crew manager, watch manager and station manager,” Maynard said.
“This achievement also means that when a candidate completes a programme at the Barbados Fire Academy, they will also receive a certificate from the Barbados Community College and college credits towards an associate degree.”
Maynard said that programme was now being developed by the Barbados Fire Academy and the BCC.
The programme this year was held for six months, and in addition to the EMT training, the students also took part in academic training, emergency drills, response simulations and rescue missions on land and at sea.
Despite the challenges they experienced because of COVID-19, chief instructor Shelly-Ann Chase said the integrity of the programme was not compromised.
In addition to the BCC certification, the recruits also received certifications and medals from the Barbados Defence Force.
Recruits Dylan Scantlebury, Roshon Burke, Darren Brathwaite and Jermain Davis were the Best At Ladder Drill and the Best At Show. The Hydrant Award went to Kailan Blackman, David Scantlebury, Davis and Christian Hunte. Kyle Dottin received the Most Disciplined Award and Dylan Scantlebury was Best Recruit. (TG)
