SLAF FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE CONCLUDES FIRST EVER SERT TRAINING COURSE
Under the direction of Commander, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe and Chief of Staff Air Vice Marshal Lasith Sumanaweera, Air Force Fire and Rescue Service successfully concluded the first ever Specialized Emergency Response Team (SERT) Training Course, with the Certificate Awarding ceremony at Fire School and Fire Tender Maintenance Squadron (FS&FTMS).
This landmark programme marks the first NFPA-aligned SERT practical training course conducted within the Sri Lanka Air Force, significantly enhancing the operational readiness and disaster response capability of the SLAF Fire and Rescue Service.
The training course was carried out under the supervision of the Director Geneal Air Operations, Air Vice Marshal Dammika Dias, Director General Training, Air Vice Marshal Thushara Weeraratne and the Chief Fire Officer, Group Captain Hemantha Balasooriya. The course was conducted by the Fire School and Fire Tender Maintenance Squadron (FS&FTMS) under the guidance of the Base Commander, SLAF Base Katunayake, Air Commodore Amitha Jayamaha, and the Commanding Officer FS&FTMS, Group Captain Chamil Hettiarachchi.
During the training period trainees were undergone the training with respect to, Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF), Air Sea Rescue, Domestic firefighting, Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), Community First Aid, Disaster Response, Hazmat Operations, Maritime firefighting, Special construction vehicles, Road Traffic accidents (RTA) and Disaster relief operations.
On the final day of the course SERT trainees demonstrated High angle rescue and Air to ground rappelling at simulated exercise area, a series of advanced Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) and technical rescue practical exercises, including confined space rescue, rope rescue techniques, Road Traffic Accident (RTA) rescue operations, and collapsed structure search and rescue (CSSR) operations, utilizing specialized equipment such as chainsaws, power saws, breathing apparatus, rescue ladders, gas masks, air lifting bags, and hydraulic cutting tools.
As part of the practical training phase, Air–Sea Rescue training involving helicopter winch operations was conducted using a Bell 412 helicopter, focusing on Heli-borne rescue procedures, Aircraft–Rescuer coordination, communication protocols, emergency procedures and maritime extraction techniques.
Additionally, Helicopter Rope Rescue Operations Training was conducted in accordance with NFPA 2500, NFPA 1006, and NFPA 1983 standards, covering rotary-wing rope rescue operations in suspended, confined, and maritime environments. Simulated helicopter-based maritime rescue scenarios further reinforced operational coordination, scene safety and risk management under dynamic conditions.
SERT qualified personnel are specially trained to function as first responders during the incidents like Air to sea/Air to ground rescue, Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) in building collapse, HAZMAT operations, Road Traffic Accident (RTA) rescue operations and disaster relief operations. Their training equips them to identify hazards, initiate protective actions, and stabilize incidents to safeguard life, property, and the environment, in compliance with National Fire Protection Atheization - NFPA 472 / 1072, NFPA 1991, 1992, 1994, and NFPA 1006 standards.
Trainees also received practical exposure through institutional visits to the Atomic Energy Authority, industrial chemical handling facilities, SLAF CBRNE training unit, Sri Lanka Navy maritime firefighting and lifesaving schools, and other specialized establishments.
The Certificate Awarding Ceremony was attended by the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) SLAF Fire Service, Group Captain Hemantha Balasooriya as chief gest of the event and the Special Awards were awarded to trainees who have excelled in the said training during the ceremony by the chief guest. The list of recipients of Special Awards are given below.
Award Winners of the No. 01 Specialized Emergency Response Team (SERT) Training Course 2025
BEST ALL-ROUND OFFICER
Flying Officer TTD Fernando
This landmark programme marks the first NFPA-aligned SERT practical training course conducted within the Sri Lanka Air Force, significantly enhancing the operational readiness and disaster response capability of the SLAF Fire and Rescue Service.
The training course was carried out under the supervision of the Director Geneal Air Operations, Air Vice Marshal Dammika Dias, Director General Training, Air Vice Marshal Thushara Weeraratne and the Chief Fire Officer, Group Captain Hemantha Balasooriya. The course was conducted by the Fire School and Fire Tender Maintenance Squadron (FS&FTMS) under the guidance of the Base Commander, SLAF Base Katunayake, Air Commodore Amitha Jayamaha, and the Commanding Officer FS&FTMS, Group Captain Chamil Hettiarachchi.
During the training period trainees were undergone the training with respect to, Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF), Air Sea Rescue, Domestic firefighting, Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), Community First Aid, Disaster Response, Hazmat Operations, Maritime firefighting, Special construction vehicles, Road Traffic accidents (RTA) and Disaster relief operations.
On the final day of the course SERT trainees demonstrated High angle rescue and Air to ground rappelling at simulated exercise area, a series of advanced Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) and technical rescue practical exercises, including confined space rescue, rope rescue techniques, Road Traffic Accident (RTA) rescue operations, and collapsed structure search and rescue (CSSR) operations, utilizing specialized equipment such as chainsaws, power saws, breathing apparatus, rescue ladders, gas masks, air lifting bags, and hydraulic cutting tools.
As part of the practical training phase, Air–Sea Rescue training involving helicopter winch operations was conducted using a Bell 412 helicopter, focusing on Heli-borne rescue procedures, Aircraft–Rescuer coordination, communication protocols, emergency procedures and maritime extraction techniques.
Additionally, Helicopter Rope Rescue Operations Training was conducted in accordance with NFPA 2500, NFPA 1006, and NFPA 1983 standards, covering rotary-wing rope rescue operations in suspended, confined, and maritime environments. Simulated helicopter-based maritime rescue scenarios further reinforced operational coordination, scene safety and risk management under dynamic conditions.
SERT qualified personnel are specially trained to function as first responders during the incidents like Air to sea/Air to ground rescue, Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) in building collapse, HAZMAT operations, Road Traffic Accident (RTA) rescue operations and disaster relief operations. Their training equips them to identify hazards, initiate protective actions, and stabilize incidents to safeguard life, property, and the environment, in compliance with National Fire Protection Atheization - NFPA 472 / 1072, NFPA 1991, 1992, 1994, and NFPA 1006 standards.
Trainees also received practical exposure through institutional visits to the Atomic Energy Authority, industrial chemical handling facilities, SLAF CBRNE training unit, Sri Lanka Navy maritime firefighting and lifesaving schools, and other specialized establishments.
The Certificate Awarding Ceremony was attended by the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) SLAF Fire Service, Group Captain Hemantha Balasooriya as chief gest of the event and the Special Awards were awarded to trainees who have excelled in the said training during the ceremony by the chief guest. The list of recipients of Special Awards are given below.
Award Winners of the No. 01 Specialized Emergency Response Team (SERT) Training Course 2025
BEST ALL-ROUND OFFICER
Flying Officer TTD Fernando
01st PLACE AND BEST ALL-ROUND AIRMAN
Flight Sergeant Chathuranga JADLN
02nd PLACE
Sergeant Jayasena PGNP
03rd PLACE
Flight Sergeant Gunathilake B
BEST PHYSICAL TRAINEE
Corporal Ariyathilake SIM
