Using SkyCity Community Trust funding, firefighters Glenn Parnell and Deborah Love took time off work to complete a three-day pre-hospital emergency care (Phec) course at the St John Wakatipu headquarters in Frankton.
Julie Hughes, fundraising co-ordinator for the brigade, said in the case of emergency callouts, firefighters are often the first people to provide emergency care.
"This course gives our guys the confidence to react the right way at the scene," she said.
The Arrowtown Volunteer Fire Brigade received $1860 from the SkyCity Community Trust.
With additional Skycity funding from previous years, 14 of the 24 volunteer firefighters are now Phec qualified. "Using this course has led to us saving lives in the past ... without SkyCity funding, we wouldn't have been able to."
Mrs Hughes said three existing members of the brigade are now training to be ambulance officers after realising the need to provide quality emergency care.
"It's all about having the right tools... I would recommend workers and family members sign up as soon as possible."
St John ambulance officer David Fireash said Phec courses were usually most popular during the shoulder season.
The St John Phec course costs $635 per person.
On the web: www.stjohn.org.nz
