Shell Iraq Firefighters Receive Hands-on Training from Top Training College in Mediterranean

This week, a group of 12 firefighters from Shell Iraq arrived in Malta to receive intensive training from the International Safety Training College. Joining them in the training will be Mr. Bernard Carter who is part of the management team in the Majnoon oil field, Shell Iraq. Mr. Carter will be observing and assessing the filming of the training, as well as the training itself, which focuses primarily on hands-on training for industrial firefighting.

The International Safety Training College (ISTC) is considered the Mediterranean area’s top college for fire and safety training.

The training is being carried out for the Majnoon oil field in Iraq, and will consist of real fire scenarios in order to focus on hands-on, practical training. The training is considered to be highly intensive, and is the first phase of a full training program.

College director, Andrew Gilravey, at ISTC Malta stated in a press release that, “These are the first of many courses that the firefighters will attend in Malta. The courses are part of a package that will raise the level of the firefighting teams of Majnoon, up to a standard that conforms with European, UK and NFPA (American) prerequisites.”

The college currently operates in Malta as well as Libya and provides training to the oil and gas industry in the MENA region. ISTC provides advisory and consultation services as well as training. It maintains high standards in regards to emergency response and disaster safety; and it remains a leader in providing services in first aid, health and fire safety. These outstanding standards are reflected by their prestigious accreditations.

The International Safety Training College boasts accreditation by a number of local and international organizations, including Transport Malta, whose training standards are based on the standard for seafarers from the International Maritime Organization.

It is also an approved JOIFF training center, the first and only in the Mediterranean to be fully approved for this international accreditation, which is only awarded to those with some of the highest industry standards in safety.

Due to this and its many other high profile accreditations, ISTC is considered to be among the top performers for safety training colleges in Europe and beyond.

Delegates from Shell are chaperoned by bi-lingual Arabic instructors for 24 hours, seven days a week, even when retiring to their five star accommodations. The ISTC provides a package which not only ensures the safety of the delegates during this time, but also provides guided tours, cultural information and training, Halal food and even prayer rooms.

The college provides the package to give an insight on the rich heritage of the region. Malta, which is one of three islands in the archipelago, is 93km south of Sicily. Of the three islands, it is the largest and is considered the cultural center, in part due to its multicultural and diverse welcoming island. For more information on the International Safety Training College, visit www.istcollege.com.mt.