UNIS/VIC/156
3 October 2007
UN Firefighters to be Trained in Austria
VIENNA, 3 October (UN Information Service) -- The United Nations Security and Safety Service Vienna in cooperation with the Lower Austria State Fire School has developed a standardized UN Basic Firefighter course that will provide an introductory level certification for security personnel of the United Nations system worldwide.
All course material has been developed to ensure that the special needs and role of the United Nations have been taken into account. The course will include all modern tactical firefighting equipment and personal protective gear used from around the world in a ten-day intensive training course. UN personnel who graduate from this course will be certified at the basic firefighter level and may be assigned as a fire officer. 20 security officers from different nations and duty stations around the globe have been selected to participate in the first course.
Media representatives are invited to the official opening ceremony, which will take place on the day that the first course begins:
When: Tuesday, 9 October 2007, 11:30 hours
Where: State of Lower Austria State Fire School and Training Grounds (NOE Landesfeuerwehrschule), Langenlebarner Strasse 106, Tulln, Austria.
The opening of the course takes place one day before the International Day for Disaster Reduction, observed annually on 10 October. In his message on the Day, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says: "Disaster reduction is everybody's business. All of us can do our part to raise awareness and reduce our vulnerability to future hazards".
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For further information contact:
Sgt. Nicholas
Krakker
United Nations Security and Safety Service Vienna
Tel.: +43 (699) 1459 4316
E-mail:
nicholas.krakker@unvienna.org
