Fire Awareness Training

NOTE: This course is a repeat of that running on 4th April in Dorset/Wiltshire for those in the east/south-east, it is a late edition to the calendar and we thank Bill Wheeler for fitting an extra day in for us.

With the increasingly hot, dry weather in recent years, many of us will have spotted plumes of smoke rising and had a sense of dread. Are you and your site prepared? Know what to do – and what not to do?

Bill Wheeler has many years experience as a ranger here in the UK until he emigrated to New Zealand 20 yrs ago and continued in the sector there. He is now Operations Manager, TECTPARK, in Western Bay, NZ. He has a wealth of experience dealing with wildfires.

This day will not go into the use of heavy gear as we rely on the Fire Brigade for that; instead, Bill will focus on how fire behaves in different vegetation types, how to prepare for the outbreak of fire & keeping your site, visitors and yourself safe.

In summary:

• Understanding vegetation fires & fire behaviour
• Preparing your site for wildfire – with a walk at River Lee Country Park in the afternoon to look at practical aspects of the training
• Preparing yourself for wildfire
• Staying safe on the fire line

After lunch, we’ll travel in convoy just a few miles to a site with a variety of habitats from amenity grassland to scrub, within Lee Valley Regional Park. With 24/7 public access it is very vulnerable to an outbreak of wildfire. We will look in practical terms at what was discussed in the morning.

Tea/coffee will be provided, there is a cafe at Myddelton House or bring a packed lunch.

When travelling to a study day please car share or use public transport where possible, Turkey Street Station is a 10-minute walk. Myddelton House is just off the A10 first junction south of M25 Junction 25. Free parking on site.