HC Deb 27 January 1994 vol 236 c330W
Mr. Gale

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provision has been made for special training for fire service personnel likely to be required to provide service to the channel tunnel; how many such personnel have received specialist training; whether such training has included paramedic instruction; what is the expected reaction time for the fire service in the event of an emergency; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Charles Wardle

Fifty-three specially trained members of the Kent fire brigade will permanently man the emergency centre at the United Kingdom terminal. They will respond immediately to calls for assistance in the tunnel. About 1,000 other brigade personnel are trained to support them if necessary. All the brigade receive first aid or advanced first aid training. Support from the fire station at Folkestone would take not more than five minutes to arrive from receipt of the call at brigade headquarters.