A DUNFERMLINE-based charity has deployed three teams to Mexico, Ecuador and Paraguay to train volunteer firefighters.

Members of the International Fire and Rescue Association (IFRA) are travelling thousands of miles to two continents.

Chairman David Kay OBE is leading the convoy to Paraguay with instructors Jake Anderson, Vinnie Blair and Liam Burnett.

He told the Press: “This is a milestone for IFRA who are now running three simultaneous missions to help emergency services be better equipped and trained to carry out their role of saving lives and responding to emergencies in their country.”

The charity has been operating since 2002 and, up to now, they have sent 110 firefighting vehicles to 24 countries, packaged 80 containers full of life-saving equipment and undertaken 77 missions to assist the volunteers in these countries and to pass on best practice.

IFRA have also sent convoy commander Kenny Redpath and instructors Chris Paige and Alex Knox to Mexico, with convoy commander Dave Wishart and instructor Gillon Staley flying to Ecuador.

The three teams will carry out 44 days of training between them to teach volunteers on breathing apparatus procedures, how to deal with road traffic accidents, HAZMAT (hazardous materials) issues, command and control, and rescue from height.

Mr Kay continued: “I am very proud of our members, both at home and abroad, who work very hard to ensure this vital equipment is sent to these countries in the best condition it can be.

“Even though most of this equipment is used, it is still able to be used for many years in these countries if they maintain and look after it properly.”