Project to provide on-Island training
A new training facility for the Island's firefighters will ensure crews keep their skills up to date on home turf.
Work began this week on a new live fire training base, near the Energy from Waste plant outside Douglas.
Until now, training's only been available off-Island, leaving the Manx fire and rescue service short of up to nine officers for two-day periods, while they attend courses.
The new facility, costing more than half a million pounds, includes a series of interconnected compartments, which will be used to simulate emergencies in different types of buildings and vessels.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer John Murtagh says it will offer scope for more frequent and extended training:
Emergency road closure in central Douglas
Storm Bram highlights need to progress sea defence schemes, says minister
Climate change referendum wasn't pragmatic, argues minister
No wider risk to public after 'isolated' scabies outbreak, says Manx Care
Yellow weather warning issued ahead of more coastal overtopping