Accra, June 6, GNA - Thirty fire officers are scheduled to undergo a two-week training programme next August at the Florida State Fire Academy, Ocala, USA.

It is part of the contract agreement for the supply of 121 fire fighting vehicles and other equipment by Project Development International. The training package forms part of the government's efforts at enhancing the human resource base of personnel, thereby improving upon the operational efficiency and service delivery of the Ghana National Fire Service, according to a statement signed by Division Officer III Sam Oblejumah, Head of Public Relations.

It said the course, as part of the fire engines/equipment procurement from the Exim Bank USA, was thus designed to equip officers with updated knowledge and skills to ensure efficient use of the new fire engines that started arriving in the country in April, 2011.

It would also equip the fire officers with appropriate technical training for auto mechanics and auto electricians to facilitate efficient maintenance of the new engines.

Prominent among the course content are Incident Scene Management, Personal Protection, Managing Hazardous Materials at Incident Scene, Handling Compartment Fires, High-rise Building Fires, Search and Rescue, Aerial Operations and Ladder Drills, Fire Investigation and Fire Report Writing and Basic Emergency Medical Care (First Aid).

A local training programme, "Training the Trainers Programme" for fire officers as part of the contract agreement, has already taken place at the Fire Academy and Training School, Accra.

Sixty participants who benefited from the course were transport officers, drivers, mechanics and operational officers.