The St Helena Fire and Rescue (SHFR) Service recently received several important pieces of new equipment, provided with funding support through the Essential Equipment Programme from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
The arrival of a purpose-built Ifor Williams box trailer for rope rescue gear, replacement ladders and a new Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) fire training simulator will help firefighters respond faster to emergencies and train more safely.
Quicker Response Times for Rope Rescues
In the past, rope rescue gear was kept in the main station store. When an emergency call came in, officers had to search for, gather, and pack all the kit onto a vehicle before heading out. This added extra time when every minute mattered and raised the risk of leaving vital gear behind.
The new Ifor Williams box trailer significantly improves SHFR operational readiness and emergency response capability by keeping all rope rescue kit permanently stored and organised, making it completely ready to go. The trailer can be hooked up to a vehicle and driven off straight away to cut down call-out delays, whilst keeping the gear inside a sealed unit protects delicate ropes from weather, dirt, and damage. Additionally, the consistent setup makes it much easier for officers to complete routine inventory checks and restock equipment after an incident.
Cleaner, Safer Fire Extinguisher Training
The SHFR Service has also introduced a modern LPG training simulator to upgrade live fire extinguisher training across the island.
Previously, training fires were set using open pots filled with a mix of petrol and diesel. Whilst this worked, it meant storing dangerous liquid fuels, dealing with thick smoke, and carrying out lengthy clean-ups.
The new gas-powered simulator improves training by creating realistic fires that can be lit or put out instantly with a remote control, making drills significantly safer for everyone. Switching to gas instead of petrol and diesel keeps the island cleaner by producing far less smoke, cutting pollution, and eliminating dirty chemical runoff. Additionally, because the fires can be reset in a matter of seconds, a greater number of officers and community members can achieve valuable hands-on practice within a single session.
Investing in Ladder Equipment
Alongside this new equipment, SHFR is also replacing its ageing 13.5-metre, 10-metre, and 9.5-metre ladders, which have given many years of reliable service but have reached an age where renewal is needed to maintain compliance with current safety standards and reduce the risk of equipment issues during incidents. The new, fit-for-purpose ladders will continue to support key operations such as accessing buildings, rescuing casualties from height, and providing safe working platforms during firefighting and rescue incidents, while also easing the maintenance burden as parts for older equipment become harder to source. This investment reinforces the Service’s commitment to firefighter safety, operational effectiveness, and delivering a resilient emergency response for the community.
Brigade Manager, Jason Lawrence, commented:
“This new kit makes a real difference to our work on the island. Having the rope equipment packed and ready in the trailer means we can get moving much faster when someone needs help. At the same time, the gas simulator lets us run safer, cleaner fire training without polluting our environment. It’s a great step forward for our team and the community.”
Photos
New Rope Rescue Equipment
Simulated Television fire
Simulated oil catch pan/liquid fuel fire
Simulated wastepaper bin fire
#StHelena #Fire&Rescue #NewEquipment #FCDO