FEATURES
MANSTON .... is it still open? ByWOPaul Gardner
The Defence Fire Training and Development Centre (DFTDC) Manston conducts various training courses for RAF firefighters, Defence Fire &Rescue Service firefighters and military and civilian non-specialists.
During 2015 about 3,000 personnel attended various courses at Manston. Add to that the six-week Netherlands Fire Service Training, RAF Regiment NBC Exercises, Major Incident Medical Management and Support Training and Joint Aircraft Recovery Team training and you will start to get the picture that Manston is still abusy, vibrant Unit.
DFTDC Manston is commanded by Wg Cdr Chris Thorpe who has avery much ‘Whole Force’ approach to his Unit. RAF firefighter instructors work alongside Defence
Fire and Rescue Service Instructors and contractors on adaily basis delivering the training, which is our main output.
There is aparticular focus, however, on the Phase 2RAF Firefighter Training. Last year saw 94 Phase 2personnel graduate successfully.
In addition to Phase 2, the following courses are also provided:
•Phase 3Promotion •Breathing Apparatus Recertification •Fire Behaviour •Emergency Vehicle Driving •Specialist Fire Safety •Trauma/First Aid at Work •Working at Height •Water Rescue •LAND project Manager Specialist courses.
Challenges The challenges of working as permanent staff at Manston are not small. Being located on the very tip of the Kent Coast means that we are isolated from other RAF Units; it is 2hours to the nearest RAF Station. Welfare for personnel and families alike is challenging. With no medical or dental centre, no HIVE, no SCSO and no SSAFApresence on aPhase 2 Training Establishment means that the small number of permanent staff have to pull together to support very junior personnel whilst they are here for some 17 weeks.
Everything that happens at alarger RAF Station still takes place, just with fewer people. The Mess is aCombined Officers’, WOs’ and SNCOs’ Mess but we still need aPMC/CMC and Committee; an Orderly Officer is required, with personnel carrying out usually two of these duties per year for aweek at atime. Mandated assurance visits are conducted by Air Cmd and the Compulsory Drug Testing Team visit on aregular basis. This all requires RAF personnel to step up and cover areas that they might not be expected to on alarger Unit.
Team spirit It is encouraging to see how members of the RAF community are always willing to help in difficult times. An example of this is the new Recruit Welfare
Facility.There are very few facilities for Phase 2personnel, particularly at weekends, with no bar on camp and no public transport, so we have converted ablock into aWelfare Facility with lounges and
10 Autumn 2016
raf-ff.org.uk
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