Terrafirma Training staff commenced 4×4 off-road driver training recently in Co Mayo, with 24 firefighters from Mayo Fire & Rescue taking part. The training provided will benefit the county’s firefighters to have a better understanding of not only their own capabilities with regard to operating 4×4 vehicles, but the capabilities of the many 4×4 vehicle types they have at their disposal.
TFT’s director and training instructor, Kevin Jones’s off-road background came from time spent in the Royal Air Force, training as an aircraft engineer. His role within the forces entailed him driving in many off road scenarios, such as Harrier detachment Belize, Central America and in RAF Germany with NATO’s Harrier force. His duties also included work on the many aircraft bombing ranges around the UK and Germany, which most of the time included driving on remote moorland and sand dunes, a great place to learn to drive off road. Kevin says “I am delighted to provide accredited training across the country to the Fire & Rescue staff. They will meet the requirements of the Lantra accredited course, which is equivalent to QQI Level 5. The staff in Mayo are a pleasure to work with.”
