Grand Cayman 20 May 2022 – The Cayman Islands Fire Service (CIFS) firefighters recently underwent accredited driver skills training with Emergency Response Driver Training Ltd (ERDT) UK and fire and rescue industry training courses with Oshkosh for the operation of the new CIFS emergency truck equipment required for aviation and domestic support.

“We worked with our partners at Oshkosh to have one of the technicians come to Cayman to train our officers to effectively utilise the new technology at an international level and provide a first-class aviation fire and rescue service alongside new and improved driving techniques,” Deputy Chief Fire Officer (Aviation) Brevan Elliott explained.

The new aviation fire and rescue trucks are equipped with state-of-the-art technology that will allow CIFS the flexibility to tackle fire and rescue emergencies from every angle efficiently and effectively to support airport operations. These new operational capabilities deliver improved speed, weight and angle of attack options which supports Firefighter safety and delivers a much quicker and more effective intervention for firefighting and rescue purposes. Learning these specialised tactics allows the officers to reduce the risk of being exposed to numerous hazards including man-made mineral fibres (MMMFs), and acquire or refresh their skills to drive, operate trucks/equipment safely and effectively improve the safety of residents, businesses and visitors to the Cayman Islands

“One of the new Oshkosh Striker aviation fire trucks is fitted with a 65-foot boom with High Reach Extendable Turret Technology. The added extendable boom now allows the CIFS aerodrome team to penetrate an aircraft’s fuselage with intense precision, which significantly improves fire and rescue capabilities. In addition, it will also allow the CIFS to effectively pierce the fuselage of an aircraft in an emergency situation while maintaining passenger safety effectively and efficiently in an incident where time is of the essence.” DCFO (Aviation) Elliott added.

CIFS officers also undertook an internationally accredited emergency response driving (ERD) instructors’ course, delivered by Emergency Response Driver Training Ltd (ERDT) UK. Officers who took part in the instructors’ course will facilitate specialised driver training for other CIFS aviation officers. This training is in conjunction with CIAA driver’s license Airport Vehicle Operation Procedures (AVOP) and is a mandatory requirement under Civil Aviation Publication (CAP) 699 the framework for the competence of rescue and firefighting services (RFFS) personnel. 

During which the fire officers were taught advanced driving techniques to be utilised while responding to an emergency situation, such as proper driving techniques at high speeds, proper cornering techniques to prevent the vehicle from overturning, ways to avoid skids when driving, and proper use of the siren, road hazards, crossing leans when responding to emergency situations, and overall driving safety procedures when driving under blue light.

 “A critical component of our fleet modernisation plan will ensure CIFS officers are equipped and technically trained at an international industry level to utilise the equipment, and technology to support the Cayman Islands Government vision for a “World Class Civil Service,” noted Designate Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Dwight Randy Rankin.