Pembs fire fighters train in Texas (From Western Telegraph)

Pembs fire fighters train in Texas

1:21pm Tuesday 11th November 2008 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

A group of 24 Mid and West Wales Firefighters have just returned from the USA after completing vital training in dealing with liquefied natural gas (LNG).

As the LNG Terminals in Pembrokeshire near completion, firefighters are ensuring that they have the necessary procedures and training in place in the unlikely event that they have to deal with an LNG spill or fire.

The group followed in the footsteps of 30 fire fighters who undertook similar training last year. This specialist course is only available at a small number of training establishments around the world.

The mid and west Wales fire service chose the TEEX facility in College Station, Texas, as it has the largest, most realistic training rig anywhere in the world.

Students took part in theory sessions, looking at the way in which LNG behaves and how to contain and suppress any leaks, as well as large scale real fire demonstrations and exercises.

Assistant chief fire officer P Bates, who attended the training, said: "Our staff in Pembrokeshire continue to work hard alongside the plant operators to ensure that the safety systems installed at the plants are of the highest standard.

"This specialist training in LNG behaviour has been extremely beneficial to front line colleagues and officers alike.

Whilst the extensive safety systems at the plants make the likelihood of any incidents there extremely small, it is comforting to know that we have specially trained firefighters available if needed."