Operational from 1st June at the logistics facilities of Porto Potenza Picena of the Foreign Languages School for the training of A/I specialists. The testing of the new equipment took place during the theoretical and practical training of the 14th A/I Training Course, which is currently underway in Porto Potenza Picena. As per the study plan for the Firefighting Specialisation Courses for Volunteers in Permanent Service (VTSP), the tests involved the course attendees, who come from various operational Departments of the Air Force, in order to assess the orientation of rescue personnel in smoke-filled rooms.
The location of the new ‘smoke chamber’ is strictly linked to the consolidated experience gained by A/I Department personnel in the teaching and training sector of A/I courses, regularly held between the Loreto headquarters and the detached facility in Potenza Picena since 2003. In this context, considering the evolution of the instructional programmes in A/I specialisation courses and the need to adapt to the minimum standards required by NATO (STANAG 7162 – ‘Standardisation of physical fitness maintenance programme for fire-fighters’), the construction of a ‘smoke chamber’ has been initiated. The Loreto Fire Brigade Unit has provided a valuable contribution in defining its technical-training and safety characteristics (similar to those already used by the Fire Brigades).
The ‘smoke room’, located within a space of approximately 120 sq m, is equipped with an audio-visual control device and is made up of prefabricated metal modules that allow for variable paths and the simulation of obstacles to overcome (trapdoors, stairs, tunnels, and barriers), recreating the critical circumstances of a fire scenario.
The exercises are carried out in the presence of non-toxic smoke and in darkness to generate particular physical and psychological stress situations typical of an emergency. The simulations allow operators to be prepared in the use of respiratory protection systems (self-rescuers) and in the evacuation of a building in the presence of smoke and toxic gases, as well as training emergency teams in rescue operations for injured persons.
In the simulated exercise conducted on June 1st, a team of two units, with real equipment, was introduced into a path of approximately 30 linear metres, on two levels, to train the operator to a level of mastery of their operational capabilities. This was in order to intervene in real cases, as part of a team, by correctly and effectively applying the techniques required to navigate and move safely within an unknown environment and in conditions of very low visibility.
In addition to the unique activities carried out by SLEAM in the linguistic sector, courses are also held in Porto Potenza Picena to obtain the qualification necessary for fire-fighting rescue operations, fostering a ‘fire-fighting - English language’ combination useful for employment both nationally and internationally.
