Shorlink’s New Fire Extinguisher Training Appliance and Training Session

Be the first to experience, but more importantly, be prepared!

It’s Tracey here, and I’m very excited to tell you about a new addition to our business – our very advanced Fire Extinguisher Training Appliance! This innovative piece of equipment allows us to provide comprehensive and realistic fire safety training in a controlled and, most importantly, environmentally friendly manner. Forget messy dry-chemical extinguisher practices; this system utilizes a clean, effective method for learning how to properly operate a fire extinguisher in various scenarios. Read below for more information on how this appliance can revolutionize our fire safety preparedness and benefit your staff, crew, everyone!

Last week’s fire training session, led by Wayne and Kalinda (our highly knowledgeable training specialists), proved to be an invaluable experience. As someone with absolutely no prior experience with fires or fire extinguishers, I found the session to be incredibly informative and well-structured. Wayne and Kalinda’s detailed instruction, coupled with the practical application using the training unit, made a potentially intimidating topic feel approachable and understandable. I walked away feeling significantly more confident and prepared to handle a fire emergency.

WHAT IS OUR FIRE TRAINING APPLIANCE?

Our fire training appliance offers an unparalleled level of realism, simulating a genuine fire scenario with a live flame and palpable heat. This allows each participant to experience the intensity of a real fire and practice using a fire extinguisher to effectively extinguish it.

Committed to environmental responsibility, we utilize water-based fire extinguishers during our training. These extinguishers are designed to mimic the weight, pressure, and visual discharge of a Dry Chemical Powder (DCP) extinguisher, providing a realistic and environmentally conscious training experience.

WHAT IS OUR FIRE TRAINING SESSION?

Here is a summary of what you can expect when booking a fire training session:

• All participants are required to complete an attendance record for each session. Furthermore, at the conclusion of the course, a Statement of Completion will be finalized. You will receive a copy of both the attendance record and the Statement of Completion for your personal files. These documents serve as verification of participation and successful completion of the course, and can provide valuable peace of mind and official documentation should any questions or incidents arise in the future.
  
  
• Proper identification of fire extinguishers is crucial for effective fire safety. This involves recognizing the extinguisher type based on its label and colour coding, understanding the class of fire it’s designed to combat (ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, electrical equipment, combustible metals, or cooking oils/greases respectively).  Beyond identifying the extinguisher’s capabilities, it’s important to be aware of potential health and environmental hazards associated with its use. While designed for safety, some extinguishing agents can pose risks. For example, dry chemical extinguishers, release fine particles that can irritate the respiratory system and eyes. Considerations should also be made regarding the potential for environmental contamination from runoff of extinguishing agents, especially in sensitive areas. Therefore, proper training on extinguisher operation and disposal, along with awareness of the specific hazards associated with each agent, are vital aspects of responsible fire safety management.

• Using the PASS acronym and expansion on steps. The acronym PASS offers a simple yet effective method for using a fire extinguisher. We believe that ensuring each participant is aware of the acronym but remembering under extreme scenarios is imperative, we therefore go through expanding on each step to ensure understanding and compliance.

• Our fire extinguisher hands-on training provides a practical and engaging learning experience. We utilize the buddy system, fostering a supportive environment where participants learn and assist one another, ensuring everyone’s safety and comfort. The centerpiece of our training is a realistic fire scenario, created using our professional training unit. This allows each participant to confidently approach and extinguish a real fire using our environmentally friendly extinguishers. This hands-on approach solidifies understanding and builds the confidence needed to react effectively in a real-world emergency.

• Following the training session, a comprehensive debriefing with all participants is essential. This ensures everyone has a clear and consistent understanding of the information presented, addressing any lingering questions or ambiguities. This collaborative review solidifies the learning experience and sets the stage for practical application. To further reinforce extinguisher identification and proper usage, a pertinent case study will be delivered. This challenges participants to apply their newly acquired knowledge in a realistic context, confirming their ability to select and utilize the appropriate fire extinguisher in a variety of emergency situations. This practical exercise bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world competency.

Here at Shorlink, we have placed a lot of money, time and effort into this new approach to Fire Extinguisher Training for our clients and the marine industry purely down to our understanding of the importance of this vital education.

We have seen too many incidents happening both onshore and on vessels that could easily have been avoided with our subsequent training.  Business’ and lives have been lost.

Please note that due to the size of our Fire Appliance, we are offering our training services currently to the regions from Bundaberg Qld to Coffs Harbour NSW. However, if we can co-ordinate several clients in a region within Australia, we are happy to accommodate the unit being transported so we can educate more in our industry.  Definitely the more the better.

Shorlink’s Recommendation – from Tracey

Based on my personal experience and the confidence gained from this training session, I wholeheartedly recommend this course to all our clients and industry colleagues. Before, my understanding of fire types and appropriate extinguisher usage was dangerously limited. I now realize that my past ignorance could have led to serious trouble in a real fire situation.

Furthermore, the hands-on experience highlighted the significant weight of fire extinguishers, a factor I hadn’t fully appreciated. In a high-pressure situation, this unfamiliar weight could have hindered my ability to react effectively. This training session thoughtfully covers every aspect, including details you might not even consider, making it an invaluable experience for anyone working in our industry.

Tip

Honest self-reflection is crucial when it comes to fire safety aboard your vessel or within your business. Can you confidently say that every individual knows exactly what to do if a fire breaks out? Are they truly familiar with the proper use of fire extinguishers and capable of remaining calm and collected under pressure? Don’t leave fire safety to chance.

As always, Shorlink is committed to enhancing safety and education within the marine industry and its environment. Contact us today to receive an informative pack via email, including a no-obligation quotation for our services.

Let’s work together to ensure the safety and longevity of our shared environment.