SLAF FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE CONDUCTS SERT AIR-SEA AND HELICOPTER RESCUE TRAINING
The SLAF Fire and Rescue Service successfully conducted the practical training phase of the Specialized Emergency Response Team (SERT) course, which included two advanced and mission-critical training modules. This programme marked the first NFPA-aligned SERT practical training course conducted within the Sri Lanka Air Force.
The training was conducted by the Fire School and Fire Tender Maintenance Squadron (FS&FTMS) at SLAF Base Katunayake under the guidance of the Base Commander, Air Commodore Amitha Jayamaha, and the Commanding Officer of FS&FTMS, Group Captain Chamil Hettiarachchi. The programme was carried out under the supervision of the Chief of Staff, Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanaweera, the Director General Training, Air Vice Marshal Thushara Weeraratne, and the Chief Fire Officer, Group Captain Hemantha Balasooriya.
As part of the SERT course, air-sea rescue training involving helicopter winch operations was conducted on 17 December 2025 using the Bell-412 helicopter. This module focused on heli-borne rescue procedures and covered aircraft–rescuer coordination, safety briefings, communication protocols, emergency procedures, survivor handling, and maritime extraction techniques. Emphasis was placed on coordination between aircrew and rescuers, adherence to aviation safety standards and effective execution of rescue tasks under operational conditions.
The Helicopter Rope Rescue Operations Training was conducted on 18 December 2025 in accordance with NFPA 2500 – Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents, supported by NFPA 1006 and NFPA 1983. This phase addressed rotary-wing rope rescue operations in suspended, confined, maritime and difficult-to-access environments. Trainees received practical instruction in helicopter safety procedures, rope systems, anchor and belay techniques, mechanical advantage systems, rappelling, knot craft, casualty packaging and controlled raising and lowering operations.
Simulated helicopter-based maritime rescue scenarios were conducted to reinforce coordination between aircrew and rescuers, communication procedures, scene safety, operational risk management and decision-making in dynamic environments.
The training was conducted by the Fire School and Fire Tender Maintenance Squadron (FS&FTMS) at SLAF Base Katunayake under the guidance of the Base Commander, Air Commodore Amitha Jayamaha, and the Commanding Officer of FS&FTMS, Group Captain Chamil Hettiarachchi. The programme was carried out under the supervision of the Chief of Staff, Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanaweera, the Director General Training, Air Vice Marshal Thushara Weeraratne, and the Chief Fire Officer, Group Captain Hemantha Balasooriya.
As part of the SERT course, air-sea rescue training involving helicopter winch operations was conducted on 17 December 2025 using the Bell-412 helicopter. This module focused on heli-borne rescue procedures and covered aircraft–rescuer coordination, safety briefings, communication protocols, emergency procedures, survivor handling, and maritime extraction techniques. Emphasis was placed on coordination between aircrew and rescuers, adherence to aviation safety standards and effective execution of rescue tasks under operational conditions.
The Helicopter Rope Rescue Operations Training was conducted on 18 December 2025 in accordance with NFPA 2500 – Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents, supported by NFPA 1006 and NFPA 1983. This phase addressed rotary-wing rope rescue operations in suspended, confined, maritime and difficult-to-access environments. Trainees received practical instruction in helicopter safety procedures, rope systems, anchor and belay techniques, mechanical advantage systems, rappelling, knot craft, casualty packaging and controlled raising and lowering operations.
Simulated helicopter-based maritime rescue scenarios were conducted to reinforce coordination between aircrew and rescuers, communication procedures, scene safety, operational risk management and decision-making in dynamic environments.
The training was coordinated by the Commanding Officer of FS&FTMS, Group Captain Chamil Hettiarachchi, in collaboration with the Commanding Officer of No. 4 Squadron, SLAF Base Ratmalana, Group Captain Rasanka Wijewardena and the Chief Instructor of FS&FTMS, Squadron Leader Buddika Viduranga.
