Welcome to the FBU Region 11 homepage

My name is Bob Fitz-Gerald and I have been given the task of getting the FBU’s lifelong learning project up and running in Region 11. A firefighter with Kent Fire & Rescue for the last 23 years, and an official for some ten years. I am currently based at an office in Tonbridge Fire Station.

I know the benefits of returning to learning and can speak from personal experience about how it has changed my life, which is why I wanted to get involved.

With 150 branches and around 3000 members, there will be a lot of people within our Region who could potentially benefit, gaining new and valuable skills, that will not only help them cope with the current Fire Service change agenda, but with all aspects of their lives.

Of course this will only happen by building positive and constructive partnerships with our employers and Learning providers, to ensure that the learner’s needs and requirements are met. I am personally looking forward to developing those relationships around the ‘Lifelong Learning Agenda’ as I believe it is a win-win situation, everybody stands to gain. Now isn’t that a first?

The South East Regions first Fire Service/FBU learning centre is now open.

Based in Kent Fire and Rescue Service at the North Kent Station of Strood it will deliver a range of courses through a variety of providers. Currently there are over 80 KFRS personnel undergoing there ITQ through West Kent College with more Stations and personnel undergoing assessments with a view to enrolling shortly. In addition we also have British sign language and ILM level 2 courses running.  We will soon be in a position to offer Health for Life courses again using West Kent College as the provider and a range of short courses through the summer.

Learning Co-ordinator:

Bob Fitz-Gerald

Tel:

Mob: 07917031850

bob.fitz-gerald@fbu.org.uk

 

Brigade Lifelong Learning co-ordinators

Kent co-ordinator and Strood Learning centre Manager:

Sara Richards

Email sara.richards@kent.fire-org.uk

Tel: 01227 825535 (internal ext 5535) mob: 07877192067

East Sussex co-ordinator:

Jason Brice

Email: Jason.brice@virgin.net

Tel: 07976008780

Surrey -

West Sussex -

Follow this link to find Region 11 Learning Needs Analysis Results

 

Law Day 2007

 

Firefighters enjoying a cookery demonstration from North West Kent College on Healthy eating

 

Press Release

Fire fighters from Kent fire and rescue service, Thames-side fire station took part in the national learning at work week on Friday. The theme of the week was ‘live long and prosper’.

Fire fighters took part in a healthy eating demonstration from Chef Instructor Helen Parrott of North West Kent College, Dering Way, who showed Fire-fighter's healthy ways of preparing food. During the afternoon John Mullane, a sports physiotherapist from Bodyworks Sports injury clinic, Blackfen, demonstrated how to avoid injuries whilst manual handling and different ways to stretch out and relieve common sports injuries. To round off the day Ann Millington, Director Human Resources, Kent fire and rescue service, gave a presentation on how to improve memory. 

Watch Manager Lawrence Pater explained ' Learning at work week is a great way of encouraging people to embrace new skills that will benefit them in all aspects of their working and personal lives, the day was very informative’ FF Brown said 'the day was very beneficial and enjoyable'. Crew manager Bradley said 'The sports injury presentation was especially interesting as from time to time fire-fighters do suffer from different injuries and any information that looks after your back is welcome.'