The passing out parade and certificate award ceremony of the Firefighter Advanced Trade Training Course were held at the Fire School and Fire Tender Maintenance Squadron of SLAF Base Katunayake yesterday (24 May 2023). The Chief Fire Officer, Group Captain Sanjaya Vithana, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and the certificate awarding ceremony was followed by the firefighting demonstrations conducted by the course participants.

The course was conducted through a well-formed syllabus over a scheduled period of ten months and the training programmes focused on domestic firefighting, Aircraft firefighting, fire service engineering science, fire service operation, working with breathing apparatus, fire detection and protection systems, fire service pumps, fire prevention, rope rescue, means of escape, first aid, heavy/light driving training, Fire Vehicle driving training and left-hand drive fire vehicle training.

A total of 18 trainees received the certificates on the occasion and Leading Aircraftman Ranawake MG was adjudged the best Firefighter of the course with outstanding performance. The ceremony was attended by the Commanding Officer Fire School and Fire Tender Maintenance Squadron, Wing Commander Chamil Hettiarachchi, all lodger formation Commanding Officers, Chief Instructor, Squadron Leader Denuka Gunathilake, officers and other ranks of the Squadron.