The Anguilla Fire and Rescue Service, in collaboration with the Customs Department, delivered “fire safety” training for all staff of the Customs Department. The training was done over a two-day period to allow all staff in the Customs Department an opportunity to attend. Officers were exposed to theoretical and practical sessions that included Fire Physics and Chemistry, Nine Classes of Dangerous Goods, Fire Safety in the Workplace, and Fire Extinguisher Types and Usage.
The training was very informative. Officers were equipped with the knowledge on fire origin, extinguishing principles, combustion process, heat transfer and the various classes of fires. Participants were also taught how to identify hazards in the workplace, how to identify dangerous goods through their labels, how to select the appropriate extinguisher for the task in hand to achieve extinguishment, and the advantages and disadvantages of using fire extinguishers.
The highlight of the course were the practical exercises where Officers had the opportunity to use two types of fire extinguishers, Dry Powder (ABC) and water, to extinguish an actual fire.
It was an enjoyable experience of learning that all staff in the Customs Department can use at home and at work with the skills of fire prevention. We can now truly say we are now fire ready.
The Management and Staff of the Customs Department would like to extend our sincere thanks to the facilitators, Fire Station Officer Mr. Shondell Hodge, Leading Fire Fighter Mr. Carlisle Lake, and Firefighter Omari Bourne of the Anguilla Fire and Rescue Service, for their upbeat and innovative delivery of this training.
Travis Carty
Comptroller of Customs
– Press Release
