A cohort of 24 recruit firefighters will be sent to the UK next month to be trained in aircraft rescue, the national security minister told the House of Assembly this morning.

Michael Weeks said the six-week course at the Newcastle International Fire Training Academy, starting on August 5, marked “the last phase of the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service’s emergency plan to rapidly expand and build the extra workforce capacity required to meet the new minimum staffing levels mandated by the Aerodrome Regulators”.

Unless they encounter “unforeseen problems”, Mr Weeks told MPs that the island’s newly trained fire officers would be equipped to replace overseas staff by October 1.

At present, there are 16 overseas firefighters. Mr Weeks said they would carry out their contracts until replacements arrive.

New requirements for airport staffing that came into force last year meant extra firefighters had to be brought to the island to keep LF Wade International Airport running without interruption.

“Not all jurisdictions hire raw recruits and train them for the fire service,“ said the minister.

“Some will only hire trained and qualified firefighters. Bermuda, however, hires raw recruits and trains them to be firefighters.

“It typically takes 24 weeks for the foundation training and then there is further specialist training.”

Mr Weeks emphasised that Skyport, the operators of LF Wade International Airport, did not contribute financially for the service.

Responding to questions from Opposition MP Michael Dunkley, Mr Weeks said there were “approximately 15 vacancies in the structural division of the fire service” outside of the airport division.

He added: “Now that we have got the airport service sorted out, we will be looking at having another recruitment drive.”

New fire service posts opened by retirements and promotions are also being filled.

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