The Training Support Unit (TSU) provides a diverse range of services to support the activities of trainers, both in Learning and Development and the organisation. The team operates within a quality management system and is certificated to ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management System to ensure all training materials and publications are produced to the highest of standards.

Its key role is to research, develop, produce and supply innovative high quality training materials to support the training activities provided throughout South Wales Fire and Rescue Service for uniformed and non – uniformed personnel.

The team also identifies training needs, supports training initiatives, provides technical knowledge and has primary responsibility for The Firefighter Development Programme together with PDRpro, the continuation training programme and electronic recording system for training that is linked to National Occupational Standards and Role Maps.

TSU has been instrumental and at the forefront in the innovative and enhanced development of the concept of multimedia learning through the development, production and distribution of Multimedia Training to all fifty stations, Fire Control and Directorates in South Wales Fire and Rescue Service. It is highly regarded and held in high esteem throughout the UK for its developments and drive within both these fields.

Significant investment over the last few years has allowed our organisation to move rapidly forward with the Multimedia initiative. A few years ago all Stations and departments were provided with Multimedia equipment to deliver this form of training to personnel. Since then, fifteen training packages have been provided to compliment training materials already issued together with The Firefighter Development Programme, the continuation training programme for maintenance of competence.

Each system is now networked in preparation to allow easy access to the Intranet and provide the facility to deliver both current and new future training packages to personnel via a central server. This will give the added advantage of providing a Learning Resource Centre accessible to all employees for Learning and Development Opportunities.