Navigation Training at the Cairngorms National Park

Watch Manager Steve Fuge of Neath Fire Station recently took part in a Basic Navigation Training exercise in the Cairngorms National Park.

From June 18^th to 21^st, WM Fuge, who is also a member of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s (MAWWFRS) International Search and Rescue (ISAR) Team, took part in a variety of training sessions to learn remote mapping, orientation, triangulation, compassing and navigation through the mountains of the Scottish Highlands. 

Through a combination of theory and practical sessions, Steve was able to develop his skills and knowledge which will allow him to work with ISAR Crew Leaders to navigate unfamiliar terrain when deployed overseas.  The UK’s ISAR Team is deployed by the UK Government to assist with search and rescue efforts at humanitarian incidents and disasters anywhere in the world.

To end the training exercise, each attendee was required to undertake a final exercise which was conducted as if they were on deployment to an overseas incident.  This gave them an opportunity to utilise the skills they’d learnt during the week’s various training sessions.