Fire bells were ringing loud and proud in County Durham recently to mark a double celebration.
County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service has launched a new Community Interest Company (CIC) to offer state of the art industrial and leadership training to individuals and businesses throughout the region and already, one long term unemployed trainee has found himself a prime role with a fire extinguisher safety company.
The new CIC has been formed to offer training in specialist subjects in which the Fire and Rescue Service are regarded as leading edge experts in their field. Courses include fire safety, first aid, working at height, confined spaces training, leadership and management and health and safety including NEBOSH. In addition, there is also a driving academy.
The Fire and Rescue Service have been carrying out their own industrial training for more than 30 years and the new, more commercially focused approach will have other benefits as CIC manager, Paul Burlison explains.
“We have an obligation to the community and the new CIC will have both a moral and social business purpose using the highly regarded, embedded skills that our people have.
“As well as providing excellent training facilities and opportunities, the new CIC is helping to maintain our presence within the local community and beyond. In effect, it is helping to firmly establish our role within the region, helping to keep fire stations open and protecting jobs for our fire fighters.”
As well as protecting jobs, the CIC has already led to a new job for one long term unemployed person. Roland Willis from Consett, attended a fire extinguisher Maintenance course and days later was successfully employed by Andy Trafford of McDonald Martin as a Fire Maintenance Engineer.
“I’m delighted to have a job after a lengthy period of unemployment,” he said. “The training I received not only gave me the technical knowledge I needed but also the confidence to apply for the job.”
Director of the CIC and Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Stuart Errington can see the benefits of adopting a more commercial approach to the training services provided.
“We have a proven track record of excellent training standards and I’m looking forward to delivering highly proficient services to a range of local businesses and individuals like Roland. We wish him and the CIC the very best of luck.”
The training will take place at County Durham and Darlington’s Fire and Rescue’s Belmont headquarters as well as at fire stations throughout the area.
ENDS Photo shows: Paul Burlison, Stuart Errington, Roland Willis ,engineer and Andy Trafford from McDonald Martin
More information from Keith Newman Highlights PR 07814 397951