Last week Tactical Fire (Tac Fire) carried out a week of training, day and night using a range of scenarios in order to maintain their skills.
A bespoke edition of the Trade Group 8 (TG8) Fire continuous training package (the first of its kind in the trade) was developed to attain the required level of competencies to be achieved over a dedicated week, specifically set aside on a bi-annual basis.
These arduous training weeks require four exercises in day and night conditions, rotating fire-fighters through multiple roles to test, maintain, challenge and develop their skills. This training includes aircraft crash incidents, incorporating a pressure fed fuel fire simulator, a Breathing Apparatus Training Facility (BATF) and Road Traffic Collision training (RTC) utilising scrap vehicles to rehearse roof removal, space creation, casualty extrication and the use of airbag lifting equipment.
Tactical Fire is a lodger unit based out of RAF Brize Norton and is largely a stand-alone operation that supports No. 2 Group Air Mobility Force tasking. It operates alongside other sections to provide fire cover for aircraft operating in largely remote locations. They also provide fire over and incident command at national events such as the Royal International Air Tattoo at Fairford (RIAT) and aircraft trials conducted by a variety of Squadrons & organisations including Airbus. Tactical Fire is a small but highly mobile unit of TG8 RAF fire-fighters with dedicated appliances deploying across the UK and beyond, often in austere & off-road rural locations such as Pembrey sands and grass strips at Deptford Down, usually under Night Vision Goggles (NVG) conditions.
"Trying to deliver continuous training whilst deployed & constantly mobile, away from Station assets such as the simulator can be very difficult. The management team agreed another solution was required and we devised a training package based on key HLPO's which must be attained to maintain core skills. The week consisted of 18 core exercises, training event sheets & risk assessments, along with a timetable of events that's guarantee's all training objectives are achieved, whilst ensuring all fire-fighters rotate through to complete every single element of this schedule. This is the first time we have done it, I think its the first time a unit of TG8 Fire has had its own bespoke package, the team have worked extremely hard this week and have been positive and professional throughout. We have learnt a lot during this inaugural period which we can now use to refine and improve the package ahead of the next one scheduled for April/May 2019''.
Sergeant Adrian Burton
Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Tactical AT Fire
