Water training put into practice during storms

When wild weather hit the West Coast recently, many of our people found themselves drawing on the valuable knowledge they had gained through the Working Safely Around Water training.

Paul Turner, National Manager Response Capability, said it soon became clear an emergency management response would be required after Met Service put out their first ever Red Warning for the stormy weather that was heading towards the West Coast.

“Over the last year, our West Coast career, volunteer and rural firefighters have applied themselves to completing their Working Safely Around Water training and will have drawn on those skills as the flooding unfolded. Thank you to all involved.

"It’s important to keep the Working around Water Safely skills fresh so, if it has been a couple of years since you completed it, please find the time to refresh your training. And always remember, use your wet weather gear rather than wearing your level 2s when working in floods, it’s safer.”

Working safely around water is the foundation course for all operational personnel that starts the development of firefighter skills and knowledge. It is an online awareness course detailing the risks associated with working around water and some basic tools to assist so that firefighters know what kit to wear, and how to use it when called out to a flooding or water event.

For the training, go to Learning Station https://learningstation2.fireandemergency.nz/Core/search(external link) and search for ‘Working Safely Around Water’.

There is also a USB Flash available – email workingsafelyaroundwater@fireandemergency.nz to get the USB. It will work on any computer, without the need for internet access, and will allow you to complete the training as a group/station/brigade.