As of September 2011, WRAP offers a day-long fire safety training program aimed at preventing and safely dealing with factory fires. The course is offered primarily in Bangladesh but can be implemented anywhere in the world.
In Bangladesh, the courses are conducted locally in Bangla, by WRAP's Director of the Bangladesh Office Saifullah Khawaja—making them more effective as they are taught in the native language and in an environment that is comfortable for the factory representatives.
"We have a lot of interactive exercises for participants to do," says Stuart Webster, Vice President of Training and Education. "We use scenarios. Then they have to go through the five-step analysis of what the issues are, who's at risk, what can be done, and how to deal with it. Our aim is to send delegates away with a toolkit that is truly helpful in assisting factories to prevent fires."
Most importantly, the training concludes with a practical fire-fighting session—including a live demonstration in using fire extinguishing equipment—and instructions on the Five Step Risk Assessment Process, which reemphasizes the courses mission of proactive, risk-assessment and a preventative, rather than reactionary, approach to factory fire safety.
Based upon follow-up evaluation forms, Bangladeshi attendees are finding the course very useful, with most students rating the course as "excellent."
"The training was outstanding. Overall, I am impressed," said one attendee. "It was nice and excellent training. We now understand how to prevent fire incidents in their primary stage," said another.
