A leading paramedic and rescue expert from the South West is bolstering his professional skills and knowledge with the help of pioneering emergency management courses from The Training Centre in Newquay.

Nick Spence, 38, from Newton Abbot, who is a South Western Ambulance Service manager and a member of Rapid UK’s international search and rescue team, has signed up for a number of specialist courses to consolidate his learning and continue his professional development.

The new emergency management courses, run in partnership with Cornwall College, include subject areas such as team leadership, patient assessment and managing incidents and emergency situations.

The courses are proving popular, especially with members of the emergency services, as they address the need for multi-agency working in emergencies.

David Whelan, Training Centre Manager, explained: “This is an exciting development which builds on our reputation as a first class rescue training centre.

“New civil contingencies laws require agencies such as the police, fire service, local authorities and the NHS to work more closely on effective emergency planning and management.

“As a result workers from all walks of life need to learn more about incident strategy and theory to improve service delivery in the event of an emergency.”

This is especially relevant to Nick Spence’s role as a Community Engagement Manager for the South Western Ambulance Service, as he will increasingly be called upon to interact and co-ordinate with other NHS departments and external agencies.

Nick Spence commented: “This programme is providing me with valuable insight into the new challenges facing modern emergency services, especially with reference to working in multi-disciplinary incidents.”

The emergency management modules perfectly complement The Training Centre’s burgeoning portfolio of first aid, beach lifeguard and rescue training courses.

For trainees who wish to work towards a formal qualification, the modules can be taken as part of a Foundation Degree (FdSc) in Rescue and Emergency Management offered by Cornwall College and overseen by the University of Plymouth.

* The Training Centre provides professional first aid and emergency rescue courses for groups and individuals across Cornwall and beyond. For more information about the courses, please visit www.Training-Centre.org