The Cayman Islands Fire Service (CIFS) has announced that six fire Officers, along with participants from other emergency response agencies and authorities, have successfully completed an internationally recognised Hazardous Materials Instructor course. The training, hosted by Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI) as part of an ongoing partnership, was designed to equip participants with the necessary skills, knowledge and expertise to become qualified hazmat instructors. 

The week-long comprehensive course combined theoretical lessons with hands-on exercises, providing an immersive learning experience for the Officers and enhancing their preparedness for any potential incidents involving hazardous materials. 

During the training, the Officers received in-depth instruction on how to deliver the programme, gaining invaluable knowledge and practical skills under the guidance of experienced instructors from the United Kingdom. The participants learnt the fundamentals of handling dangerous goods, refining techniques for identifying various classes of hazardous materials, and demonstrating best practices for managing different classifications with a range of specialised equipment. 

Commenting on the training, Chief Fire Officer, Randy Rankin said, “Our Officers are now better equipped to respond to and teach others about a wide range of emergencies involving hazardous materials, significantly enhancing CIFS’ overall readiness and response capabilities.” 

“We are proud of the accomplishments of our officers and the broader group of participants. Their successful completion of this course marks an important step forward in ensuring the safety and security of our community,” CFO Rankin added.

The other participating agencies and authorities included the Cayman Islands Regiment, Health Services Authority, Port Authority of the Cayman Islands, Cayman Islands Coast Guard, and HMCI.