​Falck Safety Services has recently enhanced its fire training asset, installing a new three-storey fire rig, working in partnership with The Fire Training Group (FTG) located at Aberdeen Airport.

The recent investment will enable Falck to continue to provide offshore workers with relevant, bespoke and OPITO-approved fire training courses using state-of-the-art facilities. Falck’s investment will allow delegates to experience real-life situations with live fire training with increased helicopter and rescue simulations.

The new asset has also been designed with a dual purpose in mind and will meet demand for the new training requirements for the maritime industry. Seafarers are required, every five years, to provide evidence of having maintained the required standards of competence to undertake the tasks, duties and responsibilities regarding emergency, occupational safety and survival functions. As of the 1 January 2017 seafarers must have documentary evidence of either completing the training course or updating training within the last five years to meet Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) standards.

Managing director for Falck Safety Services UK, Colin Leyden, said: “As a business, we are focused on providing delegates with the most realistic and highest quality of training as possible, and it is vital that we continue to invest and enhance our facilities, despite the challenging times in the industry.

“It is crucial that we are ahead of the game for new regulations coming into place. Although the 2017 STCW deadline seems far off, it is important that individuals schedule the training well in advance before the deadline approaches. As a global company we can offer the STWC refresher training both locally and worldwide, providing our customers with suitable availability to meet their specific needs. We will also be able to increase our company specific scenario based emergency training, giving offshore teams a higher variety of scenarios for real life experience while working together. The objective is clearly not just compliance, but also about competence. At Falck, we aim to prepare and better equip each delegate for the challenging working conditions offshore, especially in emergency situations.”​​