The five ‘on-call’ firefighters have been adding to their skills this week doing a Pump Operators course at the Western Fire Station.

Watch Commander Ryan Hall said that it’s one of the most pressured tasks for any firefighter as it’s up to them to maintain water supplies when crews are working inside burning buildings.

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This isn’t their job full time but the part-timers make sure they are fully trained in wearing breathing apparatus for Search and Rescue and compartment firefighting, learn how to drive emergency response vehicles, how to use hydraulic rescue equipment when dealing with road traffic accidents, how to rescue people from the water and how to give immediate emergency care.

A few weeks ago they joined the Island’s full-time firefighters to get some more training in tackling a real fire and working in extreme heat.

Watch Commander Ryan Hall said: “These individuals have shown great commitment and passion in their role to continually develop their skills.”