THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET
Washington Hall UK is truly an International Training Centre that is proud of its many years of experince working with over seventy countries world-wide. We have the privilege and honour of having trained and developed second and third generations of Fire Officers in many of the countries.
Washington Hall UK has established an excellent reputation and is held in great esteem for delivering quality training and developing the skills and potential of Fire Officers. Many have gone on to achieve the status of Strategic Senior Officers within their own organisations.
One of the significant markets for Washington Hall is the Middle East. Two very good examples of our work with organisations in the areas of the oil and gas industry and Civil Defence in the Middle East are:
RasGas QATAR
RasGas owned by qatar Petroleum is situated on the largest offshore natural gas field in world. They have the major responsibility of ensuring that all safety contingencies are implemented on the site.
A key element of this responsibility is held by the Emergency Response Team. Washington Hall UK has been their preferred training provider for almost ten years, developing and training their staff to the highest standards in both qatar and at Washington Hall.
Through our association with the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), we have been able to provide academic support in areas such as Fire Engineering Degree and Foundation Degree programmes. We were able to provide a member of the RasGas Emergency Response Team with access to a Diploma programme at the University.
CIVIL DEFENCE DUBAI UAE
A long-standing relationship with the Civil Defence in Dubai has seen the provision of training delivered to Fire Officers since 1985. More recently in 2006, Washington Hall UK was proud and honoured to have been successfully awarded with a contract to train and develop 30 Civil Defence students at Washington Hall. This contract was won against the background of strong competition from around the world which included bids from the UK, Australia and other leading countries in Fire Officer training.
Working closely with the Dubai Civil Defence we have found a formula that enables us to develop the students by delivering initial training through to preparation for managing an Operational Fire Crew. The training programme included modern firefighting techniques and skills, management development and applied psychology.
Through a selection process developed by Washington Hall in partnership with the Dubai Civil Defence, selected officers will return to Washington Hall in order to continue their professional development. This will include academic development in association with the University of Central Lancashire.
Dubai Civil Defence has sent their officers all round the world to develop their skills and knowledge. Through this the Civil Defence have been able to take advantage of standards from a number of countries.
In 2006 the decision was taken to send the next generation of officers for training, as part of their development.
A decision was made after consideration of the high calibre of competition around the world to award the contract to Washington Hall. We are proud to state that our decision has been rewarded with the first group of students graduating successfully receiving their Diplomas.
Lt. Colonel Ibrahim Odaid Sultan Alsayegh representing Brigadier Rashid Thani Al Matrooshi at the graduation ceremony proudly stated that he would be looking to build on the established relationship with Washington Hall.
"A part of the continuing partnership will hopefully see more of our Civil Defence personnel going to Washington Hall to develop their skills and knowledge in becoming professional Fire Officers of the future and trainers from Washington Hall delivering continuation training in Dubai."
Lt. Colnel Ibrahim Obaid Al-Sayegh
Dubai Civil Defence
United Arab Emirates
MEETING NEW CHALLENGES
Meeting new challenges in a fast changing environment places increased demands on emergency services and organisations. In response to these demands Washington Hall provides quality training and development of the highest standard throughout the world.
Key elements of the successful delivery of this training include:
- State of the art facilities
- Experienced trainers and support staff
- Cultural awareness
- Discipline
- Practical and realistic fire training
- Incident command training
- Specialist training
- Importance of the various stages of training and development
- English language training
- Importance of developing relationships
- Added value through associates and partnerships
- Flexibility to operate in-country
Key elements of this support include:
- Professional mentoring to support the continued development of students
- Specialist training in areas such as applied psychology that help the student analyse pre and post incident
- Management and supervisory assessment
- Training needs analysis
- Developing and improving the skills and knowledge of individuals managing major incidents and integral communications
- Training and mentoring in making difficult real life decisions
- Development of management skills and dealing with extra responsibility
- Work with organisations to bring out the leaders of the future
