College’s key role training firefighters on next generation of vehicles

Derby College Group has revealed it is playing a key role in helping to train firefighters in dealing with incidents involving hydrogen-powered vehicles.

It is working with Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) as part of an initiative to prepare emergency services for the future of transport and public safety.

Hosted at the college’s new state-of-the-art Automotive Academy, firefighters from DFRS’s Ascot Drive, Kingsway and Nottingham Road fire stations recently took part in a hands-on training session designed to familiarise them with the unique risks and safety protocols associated with hydrogen fuel systems.

The academy’s cutting-edge facilities, which include dedicated hydrogen-ready workshops and advanced diagnostic equipment, provided the ideal environment for fire crews to explore how to manage emergency scenarios involving the next generation of vehicles.

Rob Leverton, group manager for learning and development at DFRS, said: “With the automotive industry shifting rapidly towards low-carbon solutions such as hydrogen and electric power, this local training arrangement – initially involving a small number of stations – is helping frontline crews develop the knowledge and skills to respond confidently when called to incidents involving alternative fuel vehicles.

“Hydrogen vehicles bring unique challenges, from managing high-pressure storage tanks to applying specialist fire suppression protocols.

“The training at Derby College ensured firefighters had the opportunity to practice responses in a safe and controlled setting, building familiarity that could save lives in real-world emergencies.”

The collaboration also benefits Derby College Group students, who are training to become the next generation of motor vehicle technicians.

Gareth Sullivan-Pearce, team manager for motor vehicle at Derby College Group, said: “Our Automotive Academy is designed not just for students, but also for collaboration with industry and the community.

“For our learners, it’s hugely inspiring to see firefighters training in the same workshops they use every day.

“It reinforces that what they are learning is practical, relevant and at the cutting edge of automotive technology.

“Hydrogen technology brings many opportunities, but also new considerations for safety.

“By training together, we are helping keep both the public and emergency services safe while preparing our students to be the skilled professionals that the sector will need in the years ahead.”