Course on operating heavy machinery

With the support of the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF), from 22 to 26 June AGIF held a course on operating heavy machinery in the prevention and suppression of rural fires at the Centre for Forestry Operations and Techniques (COTF). The practical component of the course took place at the Cadafaz Wind Farm, in Góis.

In recent years it has become clear that the use of heavy machinery increases the ability to intervene in structural prevention and to support rural fire suppression. Heavy equipment is a complementary resource, available throughout the country, and it is essential that we increase the quality and effectiveness of technicians in the use of such resources given that they improve the safety of operations and reduce the likelihood of accidents occurring.

Juan Bautista García Egido, Head of the Castilla-La-Mancha Forest Firefighting Department, in Spain, and with extensive experience in the use of heavy machinery, was the instructor who taught the course to around 27 trainees from the various SGIFR entities, including AGIF, ICNF, the Special Civil Protection Unit (FEPC), the Special Civil Protection Unit (FEPC), the Portuguese Armed Forces, AFOLCECA, and the National Fire School.

The course is part of the SGIFR goal to increase the qualification of agents and technicians on the ground for a more effective, efficient and safer intervention in the prevention and suppression of rural fires. The SGIFR also includes the International Experts Exchange Programme, which has three different components: attending training, integration of experts during fire campaigns, and technical and practical training visits.