![[logo] Cardiff international Airport](/gfx/gfx_cwl_logo.gif){kind=logo}
CARDIFF AIRPORT INVESTS IN FIRE-TRAINING RIG
26 October 2007
As part of a drive to create a fire training centre of excellence for Wales, Cardiff International Airport's 52 fire-fighters are set to be the UK's first users of the world's most advanced aircraft fire-training rig.
The Welsh airport is the UK's first purchaser of an advanced German-made fire-training aircraft simulator, representing an investment of £750,000.
Designed and manufactured by Draeger Safety in Germany, Cardiff International's new fire-training rig simulates all aircraft types operating at the Welsh airport, spanning both single and twin-aisle aircraft.
The new LPG-fuelled rig replaces a seven-year-old training simulator, fuelled by kerosene that will now be used for "full-crash" exercises at the airport.
According to Cardiff International's Senior Airport Fire Officer, Ray Imperato: "This new training rig will give us the most up-to-date facility in the UK, providing 13 different computer-generated fire-fighting scenarios, from cockpit fires to fires starting in the galley, toilet, or engines.
"It will also provide a superb facility for the intensive training courses we extend to other fire-brigades, including those for industrial plants", said Mr Imperato.
"We have taken this opportunity to improve our 'carbon-footprint', as the new rig will be fuelled by low-emission LPG, rather than the industry-standard use of kerosene.
The Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport, Ieuan Wyn Jones said: "I am pleased to be launching the new LPG Fire Training Simulator which will provide valuable training for all fire services in this area."
Having become a world-wide supplier of advanced fire-training rigs for airports throughout continental Europe, Asia, and beyond, Draeger Safety has only now turned its attention to the UK, where Cardiff International Airport has become its first customer.
The new training rig at Cardiff International Airport will be used at least four times a week for the airport's own fire-fighters - who work in four daily shifts of 13 to provide a full 24/7 service. The rig will also be used for external training courses, provided for other fire brigades.
"While the new rig will be used for training on all potential
fire-risks, the old rig is being re-modelled to provide training
for extreme crash circumstances. This will make Cardiff
International one of the UK's only regional airports to provide
such comprehensive fire-fighting training", said Mr
Imperato.
![[logo] Fivesite.co.uk](/gfx/gfx_logo_fivesite.gif){kind=logo}
