International Structural Firefighting Instructor Workshop - Sweden 2008

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During the week 12th-16th May 2008 I was privileged to be part an international fire instructor workshop. The participants consisted of scientists, engineers and structural fire training and tactics pioneers. The workshop was the idea of Dr Stefan Svensson, a fire scientist and firefighter who saw the need to share international best practice and to bridge the gap between science and practice. The Swedish Rescue Services Agency (RaddningsVerket) kindly hosted the event at the magnificent training centre in Revinge. 

Stefan said “The scope of the International Fire Instructors Workshop is that it should be an inspiring and informal meeting between leading instructors and scientists. The objective is that it should be the starting point for a resolute development of the fire service on the international arena. Through a group of internationally well-recognized and reputable scientists and instructors, development of the fire service should be made on a broad front.

The participants were invited because of their contribution to their respective fields and came from Spain, France, Poland, Germany, England, Australia, Canada and the USA. The format consisted of a 50/50 mixture of theory presentations from the participants and practical training sessions involving live fire. Dr Svensson was ably assisted by Dr Stefan Sardqvist and fire engineers Lasse Nelson and Fredrick Johnasson

Back Row: Paul Grimwood (UK), Stephane Morizott (France), Steve Kerber (USA), Lasse Nelson (Sweden), Stefan Svarquist, Peter McBride (Canada), Kriss Garcia (USA), Fredrick Johnasson (Sweden). Front row, Maciej Mackowski (Poland), Ed Hartin (USA), Shan Raffel (Australia), John McDonough (Australia), Juan Carlos Campana (Spain), Jurgen Ernst (Germany) and Stefan Svensson (Sweden)