SLAF CONCLUDES JOINT USAR & FIREFIGHTING TRAINING PROGRAMME WITH MONTANA NATIONAL GUARD AT KATUNAYAKE
The SLAF successfully conducted an Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) and Fire Fighting Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) programme in collaboration with the Montana National Guard (MTNG) of the United States from 23 to 27 March 2026 at the Fire School and Fire Tender Maintenance Squadron (FS&FTMS), SLAF Base Katunayake.
This programme was organized in coordination with the United States Embassy in Colombo and the Ministry of Defence under the State Partnership Program (SPP), with the objective of enhancing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) capabilities and strengthening inter-agency cooperation in emergency response operations.
The five-day programme comprised lectures, discussions and practical training sessions conducted by both local subject matter experts and the MTNG delegation. The programme commenced with daily presentations delivered by Sri Lankan stakeholder agencies, highlighting their respective operational roles and capabilities.
Key subject areas covered during the programme included sizing up emergency scenes, forcible entry and search techniques, fire ground hydraulics and Vent, Entry, Isolation and Search (VEIS), which was followed by a practical demonstration. Fire and rescue demonstrations were conducted by SLAF firefighters, alongside practical demonstrations of routine operational activities by participating organizations, enhancing inter-agency coordination.
Special emphasis was placed on rope rescue techniques through practical sessions and knowledge-sharing with the SLAF rope rescue team, as well as confined space rescue demonstrations. Additional areas covered included airport rescue and firefighting, fire investigation and a presentation on the management of fire departments in the United States. Participants were also introduced to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) practiced in the United States and its application at state level.
A total of 42 participants representing multiple institutions took part in the programme, including the SLAF , SL Army, SL Navy, Colombo Municipal Council Fire Service Department, Fire and Rescue - Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited and the Fire Bridge - Sri Lanka Ports Authority.
The programme culminated in scenario-based exercises, enabling participants to demonstrate the knowledge and skills acquired during the training.
The closing ceremony and certificate awarding were held yrsterday (27 March 2026) at the Fire School, SLAF Base Katunayake. The Director General Air Operations, Air Vice Marshal Dhammika Dias graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The event was also attended by the Assistant Defence Attaché of the United States Embassy in Colombo, Mr. Seth Nevins, Chief Fire Officer, Group Captain Prasanna Jayawickrama and Commanding Officer of the Fire School and Fire Tender Maintenance Squadron, Wing Commander Nuwan Ranneththi.
This programme was organized in coordination with the United States Embassy in Colombo and the Ministry of Defence under the State Partnership Program (SPP), with the objective of enhancing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) capabilities and strengthening inter-agency cooperation in emergency response operations.
The five-day programme comprised lectures, discussions and practical training sessions conducted by both local subject matter experts and the MTNG delegation. The programme commenced with daily presentations delivered by Sri Lankan stakeholder agencies, highlighting their respective operational roles and capabilities.
Key subject areas covered during the programme included sizing up emergency scenes, forcible entry and search techniques, fire ground hydraulics and Vent, Entry, Isolation and Search (VEIS), which was followed by a practical demonstration. Fire and rescue demonstrations were conducted by SLAF firefighters, alongside practical demonstrations of routine operational activities by participating organizations, enhancing inter-agency coordination.
Special emphasis was placed on rope rescue techniques through practical sessions and knowledge-sharing with the SLAF rope rescue team, as well as confined space rescue demonstrations. Additional areas covered included airport rescue and firefighting, fire investigation and a presentation on the management of fire departments in the United States. Participants were also introduced to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) practiced in the United States and its application at state level.
A total of 42 participants representing multiple institutions took part in the programme, including the SLAF , SL Army, SL Navy, Colombo Municipal Council Fire Service Department, Fire and Rescue - Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited and the Fire Bridge - Sri Lanka Ports Authority.
The programme culminated in scenario-based exercises, enabling participants to demonstrate the knowledge and skills acquired during the training.
The closing ceremony and certificate awarding were held yrsterday (27 March 2026) at the Fire School, SLAF Base Katunayake. The Director General Air Operations, Air Vice Marshal Dhammika Dias graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The event was also attended by the Assistant Defence Attaché of the United States Embassy in Colombo, Mr. Seth Nevins, Chief Fire Officer, Group Captain Prasanna Jayawickrama and Commanding Officer of the Fire School and Fire Tender Maintenance Squadron, Wing Commander Nuwan Ranneththi.
