Team Herald
PANJIM: The State Directorate of Fire & Emergency Services has been approached by a private firm in UAE to train its personnel in firefighting.
Once it gets a go-ahead from the State, the department will be the first in the country to train overseas fire personnel. Addressing the 56th passing out parade at the Fire Force Training Centre in St Inez, Director Ashok Menon said they have moved a proposal to the Goa government seeking approval.
“Many private companies in the Arab countries want us to train them in the firefighting and emergency crisis. A power plant Shuweihat CMS International Power Co Abu Dhabi, in UAE has requested us to train its 15 personnel. We have moved a proposal to the government in this regard,” he said.
The director is optimistic of getting an approval and start training the overseas personnel at its Training Academy in St Inez this year.
Interestingly, nearly 10-15 fire officials are already working in various Arab countries. An official told Herald that the officers are permitted to take up jobs in other countries while still being in service. “They are granted leave for two years, which is extendable by another two years. The officials then have to return to their parent job,” he said.
The new batch was inducted in the main fire force on Saturday after a six-month training that started on June 15, 2015.
