AFRS Personnel Complete Specialist Fire Behaviour Training

Three members of the Airport Fire and Rescue Service (AFRS) have successfully completed a specialist Fire Behaviour Training Instructor Course at the Fire Service College in Moreton-in-Marsh, England.

Sub Officer Mitch Mifsud, Leading Firefighter Julian Lopez and Firefighter Craig Bonnici undertook advanced training in fire behaviour, gaining practical experience in recognising changing fire conditions, identifying developing hazards and applying this knowledge to operational firefighting and firefighter training.

The course covered key fire behaviour principles, including heat transfer, fire development, flashover, backdraught, auto-gas ignition, smoke behaviour and ventilation-controlled fires. Practical exercises then enabled the participants to experience fire behaviour in controlled environments and develop a greater understanding of how heat, fire gases, oxygen and ventilation can influence the rapid development of a fire.

This instructor qualification further strengthens the AFRS’s in-house fire behaviour training capability, allowing the knowledge and experience gained to be now shared by instructing colleagues through structured training and practical exercises.

The AFRS continues to invest in specialist training and professional development, ensuring its personnel have the knowledge, skills and experience required to respond effectively and safely to a wide range of emergency incidents whilst maintaining high professional firefighting standards.

Auditor Training Strengthens Compliance and Continuous Improvement

In addition, Station Officers Daniel Cabezuto and Jamie Linares have successfully completed a professionally certified Internal Auditor (Quality Management Systems) course. Their achievement strengthens the organisation’s internal audit capability, with five members of the AFRS now holding this specialist qualification.

Ensuring regulatory compliance and maintaining high standards of quality assurance across all processes is a key priority for the AFRS. A robust internal audit function enables the organisation to continually assess its practices, policies and procedures in a structured and professional manner.

This is essential for a modern fire and rescue service and supports the AFRS in meeting its regulatory obligations, maintaining compliance and driving a culture of continuous improvement.

The newly qualified officers will now contribute to the delivery of internal audits, evaluating both administrative and operational processes to uphold high standards of safety, quality and accountability. They will also support ongoing reviews, helping to identify opportunities for improvement and ensuring that best practices are consistently met and maintained across the AFRS, in line with its aviation compliance requirements.

The Minister with responsibility for the AFRS, the Hon. Leslie Bruzon, said:

“The continued professional development of our Airport Fire and Rescue Service personnel is vital to maintaining a highly capable and effective emergency service. These qualifications reflect our officers’ commitment to developing their expertise and maintaining the highest professional standards. By investing in such skills, we ensure that the AFRS remains well prepared to meet evolving challenges and continues to provide the highest level of safety and protection at our airport and in support of the wider community.”