Richard Gorst, Serco’s Director of Fire Capability, shares insights on International Fire Training Centre (IFTC)’s commitment to innovation, environmental stewardship, and preparing responders for future challenges

On the grounds of Teesside Airport, the International Fire Training Centre (IFTC) has been training fire services from the aviation and industrial sectors for over 40 years.

Thousands of international delegates train each year at the facility, which has an impressive 20 training rigs, specialist appliances, lab-equipped classrooms, and a VR suite.

We caught up with Serco’s new Director of Fire capability, Richard Gorst, to talk about the organisation’s past and present, as well as the future of firefighting and how innovation is essential.

What brought you to the International Fire Training Centre?

With previous experience as an Inspector with Her Majesty’s Fire Service Inspectorate in Scotland, and after 2 years working with Capita in their fire business, first as Business Development Director and then Client Relationship Partner, I was looking for a new challenge that could leverage my experience of the fire market in the UK and internationally.

The IFTC is well known and well respected in the industry for its high-quality fire training, so when I heard they were looking for a new Director of Fire I was excited to find out more.

Many know the IFTC for its proud history and expertise in aviation fire management.

But what some may not realise, is that we also work across some of most demanding sectors, including industrial, offshore and maritime.

I was particularly interested to learn about the way the IFTC has evolved to become a full fire training service – teaching at all levels, from general workforce that need fire marshal training, through to professional experienced fire fighters.

How is IFTC reducing its environmental footprint?

We’ve made great strides and some innovative actions are helping to reducing our impact.

People who come to train with us can do so safe in the knowledge that they are training in a manner that is as environmentally friendly as possible.

All the water used in training is collected in a closed loop water system which uses a natural reed bed to filter the water.

We’re using a protein-based foam, which actually feeds the reeds, giving fire personnel and responders the chance to practice techniques using all media in a safe and controlled environment.

We’ve also recently moved away from kerosene and are testing Hydro Treated Vegetable Oil (HVO), for our liquid fuel fire training.

HVO, or Renewable Diesel as it is also known, is made from certified waste materials, making it fossil-free and non-toxic.

As a result, it doesn’t produce black smoke or create carbon deposits, but allows us to maintain the realism required from quality fire training.

Feedback has been incredibly positive, with customers appreciating the switch, which is helping to protect the planet, their health, and that of our staff.

Trainees can practice intervention techniques and tactics in a safe and realistic environment.

More to come on that project in future.

This important change is helping to cut net CO2 greenhouses gases from the centre by 90%, supporting the circular economy.

It also ties in with the values of our parent company, Serco, which has pledged to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050.

What’s IFTC’s approach to Virtual Reality (VR) and new technologies in training?

Virtual reality has its place, and we have had a VR provision at the centre since 2013.

But nothing beats the sensory experience that gets your heart racing and your blood pumping as the fight or flight response kicks in, when experiencing the real feel of a live fire.

The heat, the feel of the equipment, the sights and sounds all combine to give you the most real-life example of a fire for safe training.

VR simply can’t offer this experience, and most Chiefs would not want a situation where the first real fire their firefighters encounter is during an actual emergency.

Training with live fires prepares participants with the skills and confidence for when they face a real fire situation.

That said, innovation is crucial and something we fully embrace at the IFTC to ensure we are preparing our students for the future of firefighting too.

We’re excited to have unveiled our latest training package recently, a dedicated training course for electric and alternatively fuelled vehicles.

The change to electric is well underway with 40 million electric cars already in use worldwide, and we support the move for organisations to lessen their carbon footprint.

But we also need to ensure our fire and response teams are equipped to deal with this surge in lithium-ion batteries and the unique risks that they pose.

Aimed at responders who are likely to face an EV related incident following an RTC or developed fault, the course offers an unparalleled experience of the unique characteristics of an EV fire.

We know that it’s the first training in the UK – and possibly in the world – to offer hands-on practical experience of a real EV-involved situation.

We’re also the first to have invested in the ‘EV Simulator’, which brings the most realistic experience to our trainees.

Complete with an EV charging port, the unique simulator creates off-gassing vapours, thermal runaway sound effects and live directional flames.

And rather than one-time burn of actual vehicles, this incredibly realistic training is repeatable and controllable, and doesn’t introduce the toxic gasses to the training environment.

The two-day IFTC Electric Vehicle Responder course has been developed in partnership with international fire investigation specialist Martin Lown BEM from FireWiseUK Learning Academy.

Martin, served in the UK Fire and Rescue Service for 30 years and specialises in EVs and Alternative Fuelled Vehicles (AFVs).

Using his expertise, Martin designed and developed the simulator in partnership with Bridgehill Fire Blankets to provide a consistent and effective method to train how to suppress, contain, and manage EV fires and incidents.

Day one offers deep theoretical knowledge to underpin the learning, including pros and cons of the various EV fire suppression and containment options, recent case studies and myth debunking, risks and hazards, contamination cleanup, recovery and more!

On the second and final day, fire trained delegates will take part in practical ‘hot’ exercises to embed their learning, ranging from under-chassis battery misting and cooling, fire blanket application, ‘making safer’ protocol, trauma care and casualty extrication.

Delegates from other disciplines will observe the hot exercises and have the opportunity to participate in practical, preventative measures in a safe way.

The course culminates in a full incident role play where participants can test their learning and experience how it feels to be faced with an EV emergency.

Of course, we are always happy to adapt for our customers to tailor to their precise needs with our bespoke service.

What’s next for the IFTC?

We’ve entered a new era for the IFTC.

The recent investments by Serco, following securing a 10-year deal with Teesside Airport, demonstrate that we are very much here to stay, firmly quashing any misinformed rumours of closure.

Over the coming months and years, we will be further strengthening our links with industry and looking to expand our reach both in the UK and worldwide.

As always, we’ll continue to develop our courses in line with customer needs.

For example, we have already been asked to adapt the EV course to consider privately owned personal mobility devices (PMDs) such as electric bikes, scooters and hoverboards.

How do people book on to the EV Responder course or find out about your other training?

Our friendly bookings team are always ready to help, call +44(0)1325 333317.

Or you can visit our website www.iftcentre.com to learn more about the IFTC and our services.

This article was originally published in the September 2024 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.