An Isle of Wight firefighter will be heading to Oregon in the USA next month where he will learn about tackling wildfires as part of an exchange trip.
Alan Jones, who is part of White Watch at Newport Fire Station, will take part in ground operations during a two week stay towards the end of August. The 38-year-old will then work with colleagues on his return to introduce what he has learnt and help influence training methods here on the Isle of Wight.
The exchange trip has been organised by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and will also involve three of their officers. The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has a strategic working partnership with Hampshire.
A number of firefighters from the USA will visit the region later in the year as part of the trip, a date for which will be confirmed shortly.
Alan said:
“I am very excited and honoured to have been selected to go on the trip to Oregon. It was opened to all firefighters in Hampshire and on the Island but there is only a handful of spaces so I had to apply and then be interviewed for why I wanted to go, a bit like a job interview.
“I am really looking forward to the trip and learning new skills and techniques which I can then share with my colleagues on the Island and in Hampshire”.
Chief Fire Officer Dave Curry added:
“Exchange trips such as the one to Oregon are important as it enhances the Isle of Wight’s ability to deal with incidents involving land fires for example.
“I know that Alan and his colleagues from Hampshire will learn an awful lot while in Oregon and we look forward to welcoming our colleagues from the USA later in the year.”
