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Cairngorms

Fire fighting in the Cairngorms National Park

10th June 2005

A specially designed course aimed at helping land based workers tackle wildfires is taking place in Strathspey today (Friday 10 June).

Organised by the Cairngorms National Park Authority’s (CNPA) Land Based Business Training programme, the course in ‘Basic Forest and Moorland Wildfire Fighting’ is being held in Kincraig.

Targeting gamekeepers, foresters, farmers, crofters and conservation workers, the practical course gives participants a comprehensive guide to controlling grass, heath, scrub and woodland fires.

Delivered by Michael Bruce of Firebreak Services, the course covers a range of topics including personal safety issues, factors affecting wildfire behaviour, tools for tackling fires and fire action procedures.

Kate Christie, the Land Based Business Training project manager said: “With several wildfires in the Cairngorms National Park in the past few years, this course is very relevant and because it is seen as a public benefit, it is free for those working in the land-based sector.  This is actually the third time we have run this course because demand for this type of training is extremely high.  With so many areas of outstanding conservation value in the Cairngorms National Park it’s essential that those working in the land based sector are well trained and well equipped to tackle wildfires.”

Funded by the CNPA and the European Social Fund, the Land Based Business Training Project encourages all those working on estates, farms, crofts, nurseries, woodlands – in fact any business related to the management of the land – to apply to the scheme.  The initiative is open to anyone working in a land-based business in or adjacent to the Cairngorms National Park.

Training courses cover a wide range of needs including the use and maintenance of machinery, equipment and vehicles; environmental courses; IT and business skills and health and safety.  In addition, training courses that will provide public benefits – such as the wildfire fighting course – are fully funded by the programme.

For more information on the Land Based Business Training project please contact Kate Christie or Sam Masson on tel: 01479 870535 / 537 or email: [email protected]   [email protected]