The training of emergency personnel and civilians in public safety and emergency preparedness can benefit greatly from one key thing – trainers who have real-world lived experiences in the field.
It’s a demanding and unforgiving sector, and it’s vital that skills learned in the classroom are applicable to the real-life challenges faced by community members and first responders out in the field.
This is one of the motivations of Trevor Arnold ESM, General Manager Operations at Public Safety Training & Response Group.
Life experience in the public safety sector
His life experience includes decades working at the coalface in the public safety sector, including leading ambulance response teams, regional commander with the South Australian SES, emergency rescue for the British Red Cross and UK coal industry. He is a qualified trainer and assessor in emergency response and technical rescue skills and a Rescue3 International certified instructor.
He career has been dedicated to protecting the community and saving lives. He recognises the value of expert instructors with ‘real world’ experience.
“Public safety training is critical to our society’s structure. It ensures that people can prevent or be better prepared for emergencies,” Trevor explains.
“My background in rescue, medical, and aviation allows me to reflect real-world training and make participants job ready.”
Public Safety Training & Response Group is veteran owned and operated, delivering a wide range of training courses in public safety. The Group is dedicated to ensuring those in the community and emergency services sectors are equipped with the right skills to safeguard property and lives
It’s a philosophy that is very applicable to Australia a South East Queensland, which is known for its unpredictable natural disasters and emergencies, such as bushfire, storms and flooding.
“We provide a wide range of courses in both simulated and real environments, making our training as realistic as possible to ensure everyone is well prepared,” Trevor says.
“As a veteran-owned organisation, my 35-plus years of frontline emergency service experience shape our philosophy: ‘do it once and do it right’.
“We embed skills in muscle memory so they can be recalled when needed most. Many of our students now occupy high ranking positions in the skills that we have been part of teaching. It’s a great feeling.”
Accredited Training conducted by experts
Public Safety Training & Response Group’s nationally accredited training courses begin with the most foundational CPR and First Aid training (as well as providing first aid at isolated sites and first aid services management), and extends through to the more challenging courses such as swift water rescue and flood recovery, and internationally accredited courses in floodwater awareness, rescues from vehicles in floods, body recovery from water, as well as courses in rescue-related aviation, including helicopter rescue crewing and Advanced Helicopter Pilot Training through our partner company Special Mission Helicopters.
All training is conducted by experts, who are mainly ex-military and ex-emergency services personnel, who have considerable expertise and lived experiences that contribute to their teaching.
Public Safety Training & Response Group also delivers CASA-approved courses in licencing for uncrewed drones, which have increasingly been used globally in rescue planning and emergency response.
“Our trainers have real-world experience beyond just books,” Trevor said.
“We combine the latest techniques with state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring the best experience for our students.
“Our team also regularly travel the world researching best practice and learning from some of the latest developments that often take longer to filter down to Australia.”
The Group ensures that staff qualifications remain current, to help deliver industry leading education and training.
“We’re active members of various industry groups and regularly attend conferences and workshops to provide best practice training and assessments,” Trevor said.
“We are members of many industry groups and skills councils and, as a Registered Training Organisation, we are regularly audited to ensure we are compliant.”
And what does Trevor enjoy most about bringing his career experience to the training rooms?
“I love seeing people reach their potential. Watching students transform from saying ‘I can’t do that’ to becoming well skilled, first responders and even stepping up to become instructors, brings me immense pride.”
Thank you, Trevor, for sharing your insights and dedication to public safety training!
Together, we’re making a difference in our communities.
Public Safety Training & Response Group is also the sole Australian distributor for the revolutionary Fotokite tethered surveillance system, which is being utilised by first responders around the globe. See the Fotokite company video here.
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