Veteran fire-fighters went through refresher courses last week.

Bermuda Fire Service spokesman Dana Lovell said the fire-fighters were carrying out a simulated road traffic accident yesterday morning.

"Fire-fighters had to respond as if they were responding to an actual accident," said Mr. Lovell. "The alarm went off at Hamilton Fire Station and they responded to Canal Road where a dummy was trapped in a car and carry out a passenger extraction."

Mr. Lovell said the fire-fighters on the course had been in the service between four and 15 years.

"Tomorrow they will respond to a fire on Darrell's Island to refresh them on Island fires," said Mr. Lovell. "There will be a total of three refresher courses for fire-fighters and one for sergeants at the end of March.

"The aim of the courses is to keep all staff current with the new technology, so that when there is an emergency situation they are up to par."

The fire-fighters were using Holmatro hydraulic rescue tools, which is an automatic system for cutting up metal.

"The fire-fighters had been taken off their crews for the refresher course," said Mr. Lovell.

The men were also receiving smoke and heat training and a course of dealing with chemical spills this week.