The future of fire training unveiled
June 22, 2006
Internal Affairs Minister Rick Barker will officially open the Fire Service’s state-of-the-art National Training Centre
in Rotorua on July 6.
The centre has been running since March, and the ceremony will coincide with the graduation of the first recruits to
train there.
Facility manager Ray Brown says the training centre is set up to meet the Fire Service’s training needs well into the
future.
As well as modern features for operational training, such a fully-functioning mock station and a specialised compartment
fire training building – where firefighters can experience fire behaviour in an enclosed space first-hand – the centre
is well equipped for theory-based learning with lecture rooms, break-out rooms and a library.
“The centre is set up to be as environmentally sound as possible, with an oxidising tower to burn the smoke from the
compartment fire trainer.
“We also contain all the water used for firefighting in a dedicated storage tank, treat it, then recycle it back into
the system so that it is not released into the environment.”
The opening ceremony will start with a powhiri at 1.30pm, with the official opening at 2.45.
A tour of the centre and afternoon tea will follow.
ENDS