Flood rescue instructors from Bangladesh trained with RNLI experts at the Falls of Lora near Oban yesterday.
The five members of the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence (BFSCD) joined some of the RNLI’s Flood Rescue Team members for a Flood Rescue Technician course.
Many of the BFSCD have been involved in the recent floods in Bangladesh, where more than 140 people have been killed to date.
The RNLI has been working with this government department since 2013, to share skills and experience with a country where at least 18% of the land floods every year. Almost 100 people have received flood rescue responder training in Bangladesh, and four of the five training in Scotland are now qualified instructors themselves.
The team are joining their RNLI counterparts in learning advanced rescue techniques. These include swimming in moving water, incident command and in-water rescues.
After a swift-water training scenario at the Falls of Lora, team coordinator Babul Chakraborty said: “Our team learning here today have already taught more than 200 people flood rescue skills back home.
“Now this advanced training in real scenarios gives them a lot more confidence for when they return home. They will play a vital role in helping to develop other professionals in flood rescue across Bangladesh.
“Floods are frequent in our country – colleagues in affected areas have already helped with rescue, evacuation and helping to deliver drinking water this year.
“It was a bit colder here than they are used to, but the thermal suits and drysuits meant it wasn’t too bad!”
Flood instructor Mohammad Zahiru Islam added: “I’m really looking forward to getting back and training my colleagues, and then supporting communities affected by flooding with training too. The training scenario in darkness was new and really useful.”
Later this week the team will visit fire stations and training centres, to see how the UK trains and prepares for flooding events. Ultimately this collaboration will help the BFSCD expand its capacity and become more sustainable.