The Department of Home Affairs is seeking to establish a live fire training facility to enhance life-saving skills and resilience within the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service.

Minister Juan Watterson MHK will ask Members to support capital funding of up to ?557,000 at the November sitting of Tynwald.

The proposed facility will ensure that Manx firefighters can undertake essential training on-Island, reducing the need to attend courses at the UK Fire Service College at Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire.

As well as costing approximately ?50,000 a year, off-Island training depletes the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service by the equivalent of two crewed appliances and takes retained officers away from their primary employment.

The live fire facility will feature a series of interconnected compartments on a concrete base, with multiple points of entry to simulate real-life emergencies in different types of buildings and vessels.

Controlled fires will be set in the units using virgin wood to create a realistic environment in terms of working in extreme heat, humidity, smoke and restricted visibility. The facility will also help firefighters to recognise the signs of potentially deadly backdraft and flashover conditions.

Planning approval has been granted to locate the specially-engineered containers at the rear of the Energy from Waste Plant on Richmond Hill. Subject to Tynwald support, the new facility will be commissioned and fully operational by summer 2016.

Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson MHK said: ‘This facility supports the Department commitment to community safety and protecting vulnerable people. It also continues our drive to achieve additional revenue savings through capital investment in our infrastructure.’

He added: ‘The Fire and Rescue Service’s focus on prevention and education has led to a reduction in the number of fires that officers attend. It is important that Manx firefighters are regularly tested in realistic fire conditions and the proposed facility will ensure that our training remains consistent with UK best practice. Keeping personnel on Island will also maintain our ability to respond to a major incident.’