rescue training – International Fire & Safety Journal

Rescue training centre planned for UAE operations

A new Security and Rescue Training Center (SRTC) is set to be built in the United Arab Emirates, with completion scheduled for the first half of 2028.

Sahra Group announced the project, which will be developed in partnership with AMST Group to deliver mission-based training for Helicopter Emergency Medical Services, law enforcement and commercial operators.

The facility is intended to operate as a regional training hub, supporting helicopter emergency response, water rescue and disaster response scenarios using simulated environments.

It will combine helicopter hoist systems, rappelling towers, Helicopter Underwater Egress Trainers (HUET) and maritime vessel simulators within a single commercial training site.

The centre will also include helicopter simulators mounted on cranes, alongside water pools and vessel simulators designed to replicate real-world operational conditions.

Training environments will incorporate darkness, rotor downwash and high noise levels to reflect operational pressures faced during emergency response.

Simulation systems designed to replicate high risk rescue scenarios

Sahra Group stated that the facility will support 24 hour training across multiple disciplines, with capacity for up to 4,500 personnel annually from sectors including civil defence, fire services and military operations.

The project represents an investment of AED 180 million (USD 50 million) and is designed to reduce reliance on live helicopter training, which can cost up to USD 10,000 per hour.

Synthetic training is expected to allow trainees to gain up to ten times more experience compared to live helicopter operations under controlled conditions.

The simulation systems are also expected to reduce CO₂ emissions per hour by over 99% compared to real helicopter use.

Jamal Alkaf, CEO at Sahra Group, said: “This facility represents a significant investment in the future of mission-critical training and positions the UAE at the forefront of global capability development.

“As the first facility of its kind, it brings together advanced simulation, integrated environments, and full-spectrum training in a way that simply does not exist today.

“Beyond its immediate impact, the SRTC is designed as a scalable platform for growth – capable of expanding its training offerings, technologies, and international partnerships over time.

“Our vision is not only to set a new benchmark for operational readiness, but to establish a global center of excellence that will attract organizations from across the region and around the world seeking the highest standards in safety, sustainability, performance, and efficiency.”

Wolfgang Lindlbauer, Senior Business Development Manager at AMST Group, added: “In every rescue, operation or critical response, the margin for error is measured in seconds – and in lives.

“This new facility will eliminate uncertainty by recreating the most demanding real-world conditions in a controlled, repeatable environment.

“Here, teams will master intense and hazardous scenarios, from complex helicopter hoist operations to high-risk water rescues and rapid deployment techniques.

“It will enable key personnel to build instinct, precision, and confidence to take forward into the field.

“The training starts with the basics and ends with the trainee completing mission simulation, very similar to reality.

“By combining advanced simulation with mission-based training, we are making world-class preparation safer, more accessible, and more cost-effective, ensuring that every crew member, responder, and operator is equipped to perform when it matters most.”

The centre is also expected to support helicopter-assisted industrial operations, including maintenance work on infrastructure such as power lines, wind turbines and offshore installations.

Confined spaces present unique and often hidden hazards that require specialised preparation before teams can enter safely.

Whether it involves a storage tank, a utility vault or a narrow maintenance shaft, rescuers and safety personnel must be ready to act within seconds of detecting a problem.

This need for readiness is why confined space rescue training remains one of the most critical qualifications for fire and safety professionals working in industrial, municipal and construction environments.

Understanding the challenges of confined spaces

Conventional firefighting tactics are not always sufficient when the danger is enclosed and the atmosphere can change without warning.

Oxygen levels may plummet, toxic gases can accumulate, and heat can rise rapidly in areas with limited ventilation.

The moment a worker becomes incapacitated, a second person who attempts a rescue without proper training risks becoming a victim themselves.

This reality makes confined space rescue training far more than a compliance requirement; it becomes a matter of life and death that demands precise coordination, advanced techniques and an unwavering commitment to safety.

Key components of confined space rescue training

Effective rescue training goes well beyond reading procedures in a manual.

Participants learn how to perform atmospheric testing, choose the correct breathing apparatus and execute safe entry and retrieval procedures.

They practise deploying tripods, hoists and harness systems that allow them to extract an injured or unconscious person without delay.

Scenarios include vertical and horizontal rescues under time pressure, rescue communication protocols and patient packaging for extrication.

These exercises build muscle memory and situational awareness so that when an actual emergency occurs, responders act swiftly and correctly.

Ongoing practice is essential because the environment itself can vary widely from one site to another.

A confined space in a water treatment facility differs significantly from one in a chemical plant or beneath a building floor.

Rescue teams must adapt to each environment’s specific layout, hazards and access points.

A training programme that regularly updates its scenarios and equipment drills ensures that every participant maintains the competence required to handle unexpected challenges.

Preventing fires with fire watcher training

Rescue training addresses what happens after an incident but does not prevent every emergency.

For many fire safety teams, fire watcher training is the frontline defence when hot work is carried out.

Fire watchers are responsible for monitoring areas where welding, cutting or other high-heat tasks occur.

They remain vigilant for sparks, slag and smouldering materials that could ignite hidden combustible elements.

Fire watcher training covers hazard recognition, equipment placement for rapid extinguishment, communication protocols and immediate response tactics.

This training teaches personnel how to assess the worksite before hot work begins, identify potential sources of ignition and coordinate with on-site teams to maintain clear access to fire suppression systems.

The result is a proactive approach that reduces the likelihood of fires starting and spreading in areas that may be difficult to access once a blaze takes hold.

Integrating training with compliance and tracking

Both confined space rescue training and fire watcher training form part of a comprehensive safety system that includes regulatory compliance, documentation and refresher courses.

Organisations now rely on specialised platforms to track certifications, schedule mandatory renewals and ensure that every team member meets the required standards.

Providers such as FMTC offer streamlined training solutions that combine hands-on instruction with digital record-keeping, giving safety managers a clear view of readiness levels across shifts and sites.

By integrating structured training schedules with daily operations, companies create a culture where safety qualifications are never allowed to lapse.

This approach ensures that when a confined space emergency or hot-work operation arises, trained personnel are available, fully equipped and mentally prepared to act.

Conclusion

The unpredictable nature of confined spaces and the inherent risks of hot work demand more than general firefighting skills.

Fire and safety teams must possess specialised abilities that only come from dedicated confined space rescue training and fire watcher training.

When these programmes are implemented consistently and tracked effectively, they form a safety culture that protects both personnel and property.

About the Author

This article was written by Michel Hogervorst, CEO of FMTC. Michel Hogervorst is a seasoned expert in safety training and compliance, with over 15 years of experience in developing and delivering accredited safety programs for international industries.

As Managing Director of FMTC Safety, he is dedicated to helping professionals in the maritime, offshore, wind, and fire sectors stay safe and prepared through innovative, high-quality training solutions.

Posts tagged: rescue training

UAE rescue facility to deliver helicopter emergency simulation training