Undergoing specialist chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) training are St John paramedics (from left) Jo Ingram, Andrew Duncan and Scott Weatherall, in the decontamination shower, at Dunedin Central Fire Station yesterday. Photo by Peter McIntosh.
CBR project manager Carey Dobbs said a group of 40 ambulance officers from throughout New Zealand were selected 18 months ago to start the training, in preparation for the Rugby World Cup.
It would be of "big benefit" to emergency services as St John officers would now have the ability to administer medical help in chemically hazardous environments.
"It's an enhanced capability on what we normally do [and] fulfils a need," he said.
