London Fire Brigade has worked with partners to create an online training package, Project Kestrel, for security and facilities personnel to equip them with greater fire safety knowledge.
Project Kestrel was developed in partnership with the City of London Crime Prevention Association and the Corporation of London following a multi-agency exercise, which identified the opportunity to enhance the role of security professionals. The package is designed to give additional assurance to building owners and managers by providing trained personnel in fire safety, security awareness and emergency response.
There are over 115,000 licenced security officers within the London area providing security services to a range of properties from large corporate headquarters to industrial warehouse spaces, hospitals, schools and residential spaces. Often the first on scene, as they are based at the premises, a Project Kestrel trained security officer can respond to a fire alarm activation appropriately and take the necessary action required if a fire is discovered. Most importantly, they can ensure that the correct information needed is presented to firefighters when they arrive on scene.
London Fire Brigade’s Borough Commander for The City, James Chapman, said: “This is a great project, giving security officers protecting some of the UK’s most complex and impressive buildings the opportunity to enhance their skill set to help firefighters in the event of an emergency at their building.
“This initiative is a testament to the commitment and dedication of the partnership work between the City of London and the Brigade to improve our response and work together to better serve businesses and Londoners.”
Don Randall MBE, Chairman of the City of London Crime Prevention Association, said: “The current training a security officer receives only touches on the basics of fire awareness which makes Project Kestrel the ideal training programme for frontline security staff to enhance their knowledge.
“It’s also another fine example of public and private sector partnerships. It will heighten fire safety and security skills and give greater assurance and protection to the community.”
Rajeev Pradhan, Director of Operations at Bidvest Noonan who participate in the Project Kestrel programme, said: “Project Kestrel complements the competencies that are required from all our frontline colleagues.
“The course has equipped our staff with an understanding of all aspects of fire safety and they receive a certificate from London Fire Brigade. It has an added benefit as it allows the learners to go through the six units at their own learning pace, so they are fully prepared to take the test.”
Participants will complete six training modules which will consolidate their knowledge of safety and security functions in relation to fire in the workplace. The course takes approximately three hours and awards 2 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points.
The individual course enrolment fee is £25 which includes a donation to London Fire Brigade’s Fire Cadets programme and other LFB Fundraising initiatives and the Cross-Sector Safety and Security Communications charity.
Those interested can enrol on to the course by visiting the Project Kestrel website.