Joining Manston's LAST EVER Trainee RAF Firefighters 🔥🚒 | Forces TV

Read more on this story👉www.forces.net/news/final-raf...
We joined the last ever Royal Air Force firefighters to be trained at Manston in Kent near the end of their course. 🚒
The RAF has been using the site for decades, including during the Battle of Britain in the Second World War and even earlier.
🔥 The firefighting training, which has been run at Manston for more than 30 years, is moving to the new £5m Fire Service College in the Cotswolds which is operated by private company Capita.
The school's departure will bring the RAF's long association with the base to an end.
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[@medic7698]

Those reassuring words "A new training school run by Capita." Recipe for disaster!

[@medic7698]

@llewellyn evans absolutely. I can't think of anything where these private companies have got involved that hasn't been a dog's breakfast.

[@LRBerry]

No interest in providing the high-quality training required, only in how much money they can make from massively overcharging the government. Profit before everything else.

[@PeterWasfield]

😂😂😂

[@christhorpejunction8982]

Crapita really? Hmm, sure they’ll do well...... learn from the great success of the recruiting centres and flying training...going well aren’t they? Not...

[@eddsummat2191]

Basisicaly some civilians will take over the job role but get better pay

[@basemanawakens6089]

It is rather scary to see all of these military functions being privatized...I have a feeling that in the long run these decisions will be regretted.

[@Briselance]

Let's hope there won't be reasons to regret it. :-S

[@Chilly_Billy]

We've certainly seen it here in the U.S. in everything from food service to in-theater construction to security.

[@basemanawakens6089]

@hffp1 its the same issue in the USA my friend. I remember a few years back when the RAF privitized its search and rescue functions I wondered how could this possibly benefit the british people?

[@rvihelipad2079]

@@basemanawakens6089 Yeh, another great privatisation scandal that the public have NO say in whatsoever, SAR went out to contract and was supposed to fulfill certain criteria and that was totally ignored.

[@danielwhyatt3278]

@@Chilly_Billy Yeah and look what happened over there. We must prevent ourselves from becoming a second America no matter what. I would rather die before that happened.

[@Calum.Hemingway]

Why is training going to be run by capita not the raf itself ? That’s just gonna be catastrophic

[@eddsummat2191]

Doesn't d Sound like there doing the training more like they will do the job, taking over training is the first step

[@ThePaperCreater]

Because people keep voting in this idiotic party

[@evillimey6965]

Capita the same company that bully OAPs with their TV licence goons.

[@WellBoared]

@@ThePaperCreater That's right because the labour party have a fantastic record of looking after the armed forces......

[@metronetrail]

Capita - Keeping the governments friends and families in wealth.

[@ottch8670]

Begs the question which MP's have shares in Capita, this stinks the RAF should own and run their training facility not a private company.

[@jtormie7517]

Run by Capita? Oh dear, Oh dear

[@Pyeknu]

A horrible pity that such a station has to close and be shifted to the reserves. I shudder to think what might happen if a major Canadian training base like CFB Borden was downsized with its various schools shifted off to civilian contractors.

[@Biffo1262]

The move to the former Fire Services College at Moreton in Marsh is, I reckon, a massive mistake. Since I was last there the place has completely lost it's fire service identity being run by private contractors instead of seconded brigade officers. It's now full of pampered civilians with no camaraderie or esprit de cour. Bad move.

[@amancalledkev]

My late father was an RAF firefighter, and I'm sure that he'd agree with me that this is a very specialised area and should not be moved into the clutches of Capita. This is all very suspect.

[@Liam1991]

Why's Capita running the RAF's fire service? Does this mean they will run the civvy fire service too?

[@Briselance]

Capita is running the training, not the RAF Fire Service itself.

[@maxpowerii7368]

@@Briselance trust it will be an utter mess just like they made of the application and recruitment system then? People waiting 2-3 years just to get a training start date. What a joke.

[@timfeast6609]

This is just a stepping stone. If they prove they can run this then don't be surprised to see them try and take over LAFB. Just my opinion of course.

[@davidnice9216]

The US Airforce did the same thing in 1993. I Joined the Airforce as a firefighter in 1991 after working for the city of South Portland maine in a Engine and Ladder company. My first Airforce training was at Chanute afb in Illinois. Afyer graduation I was assigned to Rhien Main afb in Frankfurt Germany. Shortly the airforce moved the Fire trading school to Goodfellow afb in Texas. I proudly server 20 years in the Fire Crash and Rescue of the Department of Defence. With my high school years and city firefighting bring a total of 30 years serving others and protecting property . I miss the firefighter family that all firefighters share world wide. Our religion and calling is to fight the demon fire to protect those that need help. We are family .

[@LRBerry]

My first summer camp with the Air Training Corps was at RAF Manston in the 80s.

[@LFH02]

I was able to see what these people are able to do & how hard they work during the fire on Camp Leatherneck on Herrick 12. They are well worth the investment.

[@imranzazai7404]

Wow amazing.

[@celinediontribute3932]

Nice to now that the aircraft are going to be saved

[@obi1kenobi137]

Capita = Certain Doom. Late to deliver, hold you by the balls once you sign a contract and ignore you once it's signed.

[@phelimhannon5116]

Some history in Manston huh?

[@danielwhyatt3278]

Again, another shake up that disappoints so many. How, how can we continue to advance in technology yet reduce and compromise so much else. I’m just glad I’m not getting rid of RAF firefighters altogether. I know it sounds crazy, but with everything else that has happened over the last decade we shouldn’t be so surprised. Wish it wasn’t going to a private contractor to run the base though.

[@johncallaghan2205]

Regarding Capita taking on the training its not quite as bad as it sounds. The RAF has its own recently built facility with in the Fire Service College , Moreton in the Marsh Glos. This is a world renowned training establishment and has been run by Capita for a number of years. The same RAF instructors will be moving to the college to run the courses.

[@Biffo1262]

John Callaghan The college WAS world renowned when run by the Home Office and staffed by seconded brigade officers. The place is now full of pampered civilians and Saudi Officers. Now it's barely used by UK fire services and it's fine history destroyed by private greed and government stupidity.

[@mugofbrown6234]

Why does my blood run cold when I here that a private company is taking over a military or civilian service run unit?

[@kenhoward9651]

I did my recruits course in feb 69 as part of the AFDFS and many more a sad day

[@dazmills6759]

Capita should actually bring more trainers with operational experience from Domestic UK FRS, the RAF have excellent standards of firefighters however they do lack defacto operational experience due to their airfield based role.

[@offiziellertaiwanesischers1939]

Sad but epic i guess

[@skylongskylong1982]

U.K is one the top ten richest Countries in the world , but RAF has never been so small. Compare it to the French Air Force.

[@Briselance]

The Armée de Terre still has many people. Well, if ever "many" still applies to modern-day European ground forces, that is. :-/

[@jamesmcstein6758]

When you have Lockhead F35 lightenings you don't need as many aircraft as the French Airforce. There best aircraft is the Dassault Rafael which is a match for the Euro fighter but about half as capable as a lightning. That's where you'll find the cost goes... Quality over quantity 👍

[@skylongskylong1982]

@@jamesmcstein6758 Remember there are two versions of the F35 ,one that has conventional engines, and takes off and lands like a normal aircraft as used by Israelis, and the vertical/ take off version which is less capable according to the statistics. The most valuable part of aircraft is it needs a runway. The Israelis would have bought the F 35 vstol version if it was good as the conventional F35, and operated it from soccer fields, and Supermarkets car parks. They have the best trained experienced Air Force in the World , and best tactics.

[@Acc0rd79]

Cut backs just like the 90's in the USA. Then when they need people they are short handed and have to power recruit and train.

[@HeidiLandRover]

@hffp1 but in the meantime... Boris's chums get to rake-off the profits. You know who owns Capita, right?

[@Saxonx500]

I tried but couldn't get in the RAF as a FF (due to slightly imperfect hearing) but became a senior officer in a County FRS instead - always had a soft spot for the RAF FS......I am so sad that Capita have now got their grubby commercial mitts on it.....they ruined the Fire Service College at Moreton in Marsh with private sector practices, so like Local Authority Fire & Rescue Services, it seems you too will have to say goodbye to any discipline, tradition and pride the RAF may have had in its Fire Service

[@jellybaby7]

Pardon, can't hear u

[@eddsummat2191]

What's next capita/ a civilian company takes ove the role of mechanic's

[@lewis6138]

Seriously, Capita? I know a couple of people who worked for these guys and said it was awful and just a massive shambles.

[@davisluong2060]

What is it with Britain privatizing so much of its military operations such as this and that of its air refueling service?

[@Blackmamba12345]

What a shame.

[@eightlivesdownmtb]

The dead hand of Capita? Certain to ruin everything that was ever any good.

[@wallydug2256]

Everything done on the cheap when it comes to certain political parties in this country.

[@mugofbrown6234]

Exactly. "The cost of everything and the value of nothing." However are private companies really more efficient than military/ state run systems? Probably not.

[@para7843]

Boys and girls once you get to your camp your work routine in volleyball in the morning and then volleyball in the afternoon. Ow u might have to check a couple of building once you have had a afternoon kip playing all that volleyball. Ow and don't forget to tell all the WRAF u are a superman firefighter haha

[@texleeger8973]

Hope you feel better.

[@Biffo1262]

Got problem? Rejected at recruit level then. ALL anti's are rejects in my experience and end up in second rate places like the Paras where they wear green make up to impress each other.

[@terrancedactielle5460]

Capita, the Tories best friend. Serco track and trace is good value for money as well. It's all about the money for their mates and not a care for the results.

[@jellybaby7]

That's arson

[@jontom71]

I see the physical size requirement for the RAF firefighters has changed since 1988. No offence but she isn't going to be lifting anyone out of a cockpit

[@jedimindtrix2142]

Sure. That may be true. However that doesn't mean she isn't valuable as firefighter just the same. I have seen plenty of male Emergency service personnel who aren't big or in great shape and they certainly would have just as hard of a time as this woman getting someone out alone. It is what it is.....women will face questions like this for a while.

[@jontom71]

@@jedimindtrix2142 wasn't questioning her ability to function due to her sex just her size and totally agree on the physical condition of all firefighters, my point was that the RAF used to have a high minimum height and physical condition standard fo jobs like this and the RAF regiment

[@jedimindtrix2142]

@@jontom71I'm sorry if I came off a little rude my friend. It makes sense to have those requirements for certain positions in a team. However I feel completely dismissing someone from firefighting based on size alone seems like a waste of a potentially good firefighter. Just because a person (man or woman) is small shouldn't disqualify them from everything to do with the job, only positions requiring size. Were you a firefighter in the military?

[@timfeast6609]

@@jontom71 they did. You had to be in the height range of 5'10" to 6'2". That requirement got dropped years ago. Most sections are like Snow Whites holiday home these days

[@jontom71]

@@timfeast6609 mate of mine was in regiment training when they did, he said some of them couldn't even carry their kit around a drill square

[@christopherbonnar9047]

Let’s be honest, any capita contract that has been struck with the MOD is a nightmare. The UK government are skint and the nations services are feeling it. Wait until they streamline the Army again, we’re nothing more than a glorified defence force.

[@altaylor3988]

Private Training Contractors ..... All in the name of Economics and NOT QUALITY ... The Instructors will be on INCENTIVES to churn out numbers and it's is the old old story of "Once they get posted to a Unit/Station their training will restart! to bring them up to R.A.F. Standards"

[@SNOWDONTRYFAN]

always a use for old airbases , simple , just move in the Army like they did when they made Germany redundant , in the mean while one waits for another major war where the UK is made to look totally lacking and redundant as usual

[@moneymandan6217]

Lost me at covid

[@JoolzThePirate]

Every single of the RN is a firefighter! It’s not even paid to us, this job should have been thinned out a long time ago

[@Heretican]

Criminal

[@indigohammer5732]

What an awful statue!

[@billydaniels1518]

I thought Jordan was attractive until I heard her voice

[@jbuller]

The female firefighter is a woman not a girl. Why did you ask and choose to broadcast the suggestion that the male firefighter's parents were proud, while asking the female one what her parents thought of her career choice?

[@GarethRules]

Just be quiet lmao

[@Saxonx500]

The most lefty comment yet....

[@anthonyeaton5153]

Whoa! Whoa! Manston was a fire fighting school as far back as 1961 where each training fire was a real one on real burning aircraft. Mk5, Mk5A Mk6 Mk7 and DPs plus trailer pumps. After serving in the RAF Fire Service I joined the Air Ministry Fire Service ( AMFS) in November 1961 as a civilian. I was employed at RAF Leeming and attended many courses at Manston in my 30 years of Service. The Service later became the AFDFS Air Force Department FS. At that time The RAF Fire Service did their training at Sutton on Hull and then Catterick eventually moving to RAF Manston.