VINLEC employees receive more training in fire safety

Employees at St Vincent Electricity Services Limited continue to receive training in fire safety, in keeping with the company’s mandate to provide a safe environment for employees and the public.{{more}}

Nineteen employees from locations across the company are engaged in a five-day workshop, which commenced on Monday, aimed at providing knowledge in firefighting safety, personal protective equipment, fire behaviour, fire extinguishers and incident management.

The training is being facilitated by Larry Becker of FireBeck. Becker has over 25 years experience in firefighting, having served as a fire chief in his native Canada.

Becker said that through this training the participants are prepared and ready to respond, in the event of a fire within VINLEC. He says they have also been trained to access their environment, recognize potential threats and respond appropriately. Becker further said the participants are all enthusiastic and that they are more confident, having gained knowledge on how to make the work environment safer for themselves and the organization. The participants have indicated that they are more knowledgeable about this field and that they are better prepared for any eventuality.

The training forms part of a Fire Protection Project, launched by VINLEC in March 2010, aimed at developing a comprehensive fire protection policy and enhancing fire detection and suppression infrastructure and capacity of the company.

Other areas being addressed during the training are fire suppression, fire hoses, nozzles, streams and foams and live fire.

The participants will be involved in a practical exercise in the form of a fire drill at the Lowmans Bay Power Plant today — Friday.

This will offer them to opportunity to have handson experience in a controlled environment.

This is the fourth batch of employees trained under the Fire Protection Project. The session is taking place at the Cane Hall training room and will end today.