| The Fire Science Academy has helped plan a new firefighter training facility in Gujarat, India |
Fire Science Academy's worldwide division provides consulting expertise to promote emergency response training in India
With ongoing consulting assistance from the University of Nevada, Reno Fire Science Academy Worldwide, the Institute of Fire Safety and Disaster Management Studies (IFSDMS) in Gujarat, India, has broken ground on its new training facility, expected to provide professional instruction in fire fighting and disaster management for emergency responders in India and the region.
"The Fire Science Academy has assisted by sharing our knowledge and experience in the conceptual design and operation of an exceptional training facility that, in the case of IFSDMS, can serve the needs of India's communities," said Mitchell Baclawski, assistant director of the Fire Science Academy's Worldwide division.
"We began a consultation partnership with IFSDMS in 2008 and have worked to promote the Indian institute's development of a hands-on emergency response training facility, which is designed to be as comprehensive as our own Academy in Nevada."
The Gujarat facility is being developed and built by Checkmate Services, which offers training and other emergency and risk management services to the petrochemical and petroleum industries as one of the largest safety and security providers in India.
Construction began in March 2009 at the institute, which was established in 1998 at Vaghodia, District Vadodara, Gujarat. Buildings for administration, education and hostel accommodations have been completed. Full-scale training props, key to the realistic hands-on training that will be offered at the facility, are also due to be built this year. A rescue tower prop and smoke chamber prop are under construction, and remaining training structures will be built after the end of India's monsoon season.
"Representatives from the Gujarat institute have also visited the Fire Science Academy in Carlin, Nev., to learn about how our Academy delivers the training and student experience it's known for," Baclawski said. "It's been an honor to host them in Nevada and to assist them on site in India with their efforts to develop a first-class facility of their own."
Inauguration of Gujurat's new facility is expected to be held in Oct. 2009. Invited dignitaries are set to include the Chief Minister of Gujarat as well as other industry, educational and government representatives from the region. "The Fire Science Academy looks forward to being in attendance, in support of IFSDMS and to discuss the University's affiliation and other matters of importance regarding the alliance between the two institutions," Baclawski said.