This week, eight German Fire Officers of the Defence Fire and Rescue Services were recognised for their achievement in passing a six month course in paramedics.
 
Five of the officers (with three unable to attend) gathered in the Rheindahlen Rooms at JHQ and were presented with their certificates by Deputy Commander Rhine Garrison, Lt Col Duncan Bedding. 

The officers studied in their own, personal time at the School For Paramedics Moenchengladbach, run by the Professional Fire Services in the city.  The Training Course was financed by Rhine Garrison.  The Firemen are now qualified to offer medical assistance to those that need it when they are attending emergencies.  This is only part of the qualification they need to become a qualified Fireman in Germany.  

Fire Officer Roberto Meaggia, who is one of 18 Fire Fighters based in Elmpt, said “We are now more qualified and since we are usually first on the scene of an accident, we can now offer medical assistance.  The qualification will also benefit us in our future careers and we can continue to study in this field”.

This is the second set of Paramedic Qualification Certificates to be awarded, with the first presented back in 2007 and there are now more fire fighters attending the course.  JHQ’s Fire-Station Manager,  Wolfgang Goertz said ‘We hope that this course will become a regular thing for all fire officers as long as there is the money to finance it.  It is very important for the community, and in one year our first response team have been able to offer medical assistance to over 80 people, which is great.”

Fire Advisor, Laurence Garraway said “I’m very proud that they’ve taken the opportunity to get this nationally recognised qualification which is well above a basic first aid qualification.  They can now perform a life saving role within the required 8-10 minutes”.