Offshore workers across the UK will learn to fight helicopter and helideck fires at a new County Durham training facility.

Based at the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) training centre in Bowburn, the facility boasts a helicopter simulator and full-size helideck.

Including a three-storey mock offshore platform rig, its design reflects offshore installations' internal structures.

(Image: CDDFRS)

Rob Cherrie, a director of CDDFRS, said: "I really cannot stress enough how vital this new equipment and the enhanced training it offers will be to people working in the offshore sector.

"When you’re offshore, you can’t just dial 999 and expect immediate assistance.

"Offshore Firefighters are more likely than others to face scenarios such as helicopter fires or pressurised oil fires, so individuals need to be well-trained and self-sufficient when dealing with these scenarios.

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(Image: CDDFRS)

The oil and gas training body, OPITO, has accredited the facility, offering various emergency response courses.

The centre hopes OPITO's endorsement will attract thousands of offshore workers worldwide to train in emergency reactions.

This training facility is a collaboration between 3t Training Services, a leading UK energy sector training provider, and CDDFRS unit Vital Fire Solutions, following a sizeable investment.

Mr Cherrie said: "Utilising our wealth of experience in firefighting training, teamed with our technology at our training centre, we are able to give those offshore workers with firefighting responsibilities the skills they need to cope with the worst-case scenarios."