The Gibraltar Airport Fire & Rescue Service (AFRS) has become the first fire service to complete Emergency Response Driver Training’s (ERDT) Skills for Justice (SFJ) Awards Certificate of Achievement–accredited courses across three specialist areas: Emergency Response Driving Instructor Training, High Reach Extendable Turret (HRET) Instructor Training, and Vehicle and Pump Instructor Training.
Delivered in Gibraltar just before Easter by instructors from ERDT, these newly developed courses align with a range of international and UK standards, including ICAO, CAA CAP 699, EASA, FAA, NFCC ERD, NFPA 1010, and GCAA CAR AGA Part TRG requirements.
The SFJ Awards Certificate of Achievement represents the highest level of accreditation, ensuring that each programme meets clearly defined learning outcomes and rigorous assessment criteria, supported by both internal and external quality assurance processes. The three newly qualified AFRS instructors - Firefighter Alain Pons, Leading Firefighter Emerson Rovegno and Sub Officer Mitchel Mifsud - will now lead the revalidation of all AFRS personnel. They will also implement a revised maintenance of competence programme incorporating the new training elements, providing a robust, quality-assured framework for continuous professional development.
All these programmes are designed to reduce operational risk, improve response times, and enhance overall effectiveness and safety, particularly through advanced HRET deployment. Emergency driving modules covered both airside and landside scenarios, ensuring full operational readiness with all vehicle types across the AFRS fleet.
The revamped Emergency Response Driver and Instructor Training delivers competency-based learning through a blended approach, combining 360° camera imaging, practical training and e-learning. Covering both initial training and re-assessment, it is currently the only ERD Driver and Instructor course accredited at SFJ Certificate of Achievement level.
Additionally, the newly introduced HRET Driver Operator and Instructor Training programme offers a similarly advanced blended learning model. HRETs are extendible booms mounted on the AFRS’s 6x6 airfield firefighting vehicles, which elevate up to 16 metres in height and can deliver water, foam and Purple-K powder extinguishing agents. The course emphasizes practical application, reducing classroom theory in favour of hands-on and visually immersive 360° digital training. It is also the only HRET course with SFJ Certificate of Achievement accreditation.
ERDT, a UK-based provider, has delivered training to 86 Airport Fire & Rescue Services across 19 countries. It has been a training provider to the AFRS for the past 10 years, and with its latest combined course, reinforces its global reputation in specialist emergency response training.
Commenting on this accomplishment, the Minister with responsibility for the AFRS, Leslie Bruzon, said: "This achievement places the Airport Fire & Rescue Service at the forefront of UK and international best practice, highlighting and reinforcing its ongoing commitment to innovation, safety and operational excellence. By investing in world-class training and accreditation we are leading on new international standards for airport fire and rescue services, ensuring our personnel are trained, equipped and ready for any emergency scenario."
