Barbados Fire Service Partners with MegaPower, ScrapMan Barbados, and InchCape Barbados for Electric Vehicle Training Program

The Barbados Fire Service has joined forces with MegaPower, ScrapMan Barbados and InchCape Barbados to launch an extensive five-day training programme aimed at equipping fire officers with the skills to effectively respond to emergencies involving hybrid and fully electric vehicles.

The first training session, in which about 50 fire officers are participating, began on Monday at the Barbados Fire Academy in Arch Hall, St Thomas.

MegaPower and Inchcape Barbados have provided four hybrid vehicles to ensure fire officers have hands-on learning experience.

During the opening ceremony, Minister of Home Affairs Wilfred Abrahams highlighted the critical need to prepare first responders for challenges arising from the growing prevalence of environmentally conscious transport options.

“It is our duty to equip the fire service with all the tools, resources, and comprehensive training required to effectively mitigate potential incidents and ensure the safety of our fire officers,” he stated.

Underlining the urgency of the matter, Abrahams stated that, post-training, every officer must possess the capacity to handle incidents involving electric vehicles.

Facilitated by the Firewise Learning Academy based in the United Kingdom, the training will delve into managing incidents involving electric and hybrid vehicles. Additionally, participants will gain insights into associated risks related to both private and public charging stations.

Chief Instructor with the Barbados Fire Service Andrew Taylor outlined the training structure. The focus on Monday and Thursday will be on responders, while Tuesday will involve training the instructor staff to teach the course. Wednesday is slated for command staff training, and on Friday, a component on fire investigation will conclude the programme.

Lead tutor at Firewise Martin Lown commended the proactive efforts of the Barbados Fire Service in anticipating challenges posed by the increasing prevalence of hybrid and electric vehicles.

“With more and more of these vehicles emerging because of the green agenda, it’s important that you get ahead of the curve, as the Barbados Fire Service is doing. During the course, we will be using the support of the corporate partners to inspect those vehicles so that officers can familiarise themselves with the features, and we will also look at fire suppression,” said Lown.

During his remarks, Director of Training and Chief Fire Officer Errol Maynard encouraged participants to embrace all the knowledge shared.

“While we have not encountered any significant incidents involving electric vehicles, this training showcases our proactive approach to readiness and preparedness. Your commitment to learning and adapting to these new challenges will not only benefit us as individuals but also reflect positively on the safety and security of Barbados as a whole,” he said.

In addition to the training programme, Minister Abrahams announced that the Fire Academy will be provided with specialised firefighting equipment tailored for managing electric vehicle incidents.

He said the equipment arrived at the airport on Sunday and is awaiting clearance before being deployed for use by the trained officers.

(BB)