Location The Defence Fire Training and Development Centre (DFTDC) is situated outside the village of Manston, which is just off the A253 approximately 4 miles West of Ramsgate. Travel Rail The nearest rail stations are Birchington-On-Sea and Margate. Services run from London every 30 minutes but not all trains stop at Birchington. Taxis are available from both stations. Information on train times may be obtained from the National Rail Enquiries Centre – 0845 748 4950. Road If you travel by road it is likely that you will approach Manston from the M2 and then the A299 (Thanet Way). Follow the signs for Ramsgate (A253) and Kent International Airport. DFTDC is clearly signposted from the St Nicholas at Wade Roundabout. A location map is provided. View Location Map Coach National Express Coaches run a service from London (Victoria) to Ramsgate. Information on coach times are available from the National Express Enquiries Centre – 0870 580 8080 Air Onward travel may be made by road, rail or coach. Firefighter personnel attending courses at DFTDC who fly into RAF Brize Norton, Gatwick, Heathrow etc requiring MT Transport are to complete and submit STAMA Duty movement request Airhead 1 form (for arrival) and STAMA Duty movement request Airhead depart 1 form (for departures) to DFTDC MT Control on 95236 6397 (mil) or 01843 821819 (civ) at least 14 days in advance of the course start date. All flights are to be booked in conjunction with MT pick up times Booking In On arrival at DFTDC you must report to the Guardroom. All personnel are to be in possession of photographic identification (ID) which should be an official ID Card (where issued). If you do not have an official ID card a temporary form of ID will be issued to enable access to be gained. You must carry your ID at all times unless you are undertaking practical training in which case your ID should be secured in your allocated locker in the changing rooms. Registration of Private Motor Vehicles All private motor vehicles must be registered with the Guardroom who will issue a temporary vehicle pass, which must be clearly displayed in the windscreen of your vehicle at all times when your vehicle is on the Unit. Your vehicle must also display a current road tax disc and where necessary have an MOT certificate. You must have a valid driving licence and appropriate insurance. You must produce these documents if requested. Failure to do so may result in your vehicle being prevented from entering. MT and Official Hire Vehicles If you are using an MT or official hire vehicle which you will retain for the duration of your course (i.e. you do not have a one way hire vehicle) you should follow the procedures above. If you have a one way hire vehicle you must park it in the Phoenix Club car park (Guardroom end) and deposit the keys in the Guardroom. You should be aware that no fuel is available at DFTDC. Parking If you are staying in the Accommodation Blocks you are to park in the car park between the Gymnasium and the Supply building. If you are staying in the Phoenix Club you are to leave your vehicle in the car park which is between the Phoenix Club and the Squash Court. Note: Student parking is not permitted in any other car park however, vehicles may be parked outside of the accommodation blocks and Phoenix Club for long enough to unload. They are to be moved to the car park as soon as unloading is complete. Accommodation & Catering Courses at DFTDC are residential with accommodation provided on site. If you wish to occupy accommodation outside, you must obtain authority and inform Training Resources at least 14 days before the course commences. Failure to obtain authority to live out will result in no entitlement to claim expenses for the accommodation occupied. All students are encouraged to stay in the accommodation provided as it aids group study and the integration of students from different backgrounds. Accommodation is reserved from the day before the course commences (i.e. Sunday in most cases) but can be reserved earlier if you require it due to travel arrangements. In such cases you must advise Training Resources of the date from which accommodation is required and what (if any) meals are required. Note: If you are not from an MOD organisation and give less than 14 days notice of living out you may be charged for your room for the duration of the course if the room cannot be re-let. Junior Ranks Military personnel up to the rank of Corporal and Fire & Rescue Service personnel up to the rank of Leading Firefighter (Crew Manager) will be allocated rooms in the accommodation blocks. Accommodation Recruit Firefighter students (Phase 2 Trainees) are accommodated in accommodation blocks that provide furnished single and multi-occupancy study bedrooms with shared bathrooms, showers and toilets. All blocks are equipped with a washing machine, irons, ironing boards, drying rooms and some kitchen facilities. All other students are accommodated within accommodation blocks that are furnished single or twin man rooms. Each room comes complete with quilt, bedding, bedside lamps and a TV/DVD combo. A minimal charge will be levied on a weekly basis for the use of the TV/DVD combo. Students are to indicate on the course acknowledgement form (DF&RS Form 222) whether they wish to make use of this facility. Bed linen is provided. Towels and personal toiletries are not provided. Contract staff clean the communal areas of the accommodation but you are responsible for ensuring your room is kept in a clean and tidy state throughout your stay. Inspections of Phase 2 students accommodation blocks take place weekly. Catering DFTDC is a Pay As You Dine (PAYD) Unit. Meals are provided in the Ashes Club at the times detailed below:
Special diets can be catered for provided the mess is notified in at least 7 days in advance, on ext 6240. Senior Ranks Military personnel of Sergeant rank and above and Fire & Rescue Service personnel of Sub Officer/Watch Manager rank and above will be allocated rooms in the Phoenix Club. Accommodation. The Phoenix Club provides furnished single and twin man study bedrooms with shared bathrooms, showers and toilets in both the main Phoenix Club building and an Annex. Each room is provided with tea & coffee making facilities. Washing machines, irons, ironing boards, drying rooms and limited kitchen facilities are provided within the building. A dining room, bar and some recreational facilities are also provided in the Phoenix Club. Bed linen is provided and will be exchanged once a week by the Contract cleaning staff who will also clean your room daily (Monday to Friday) Towels and personal toiletries are not provided. Note: In line with current MOD policy all buildings, including accommodation blocks, are designated no smoking areas. Smoking will only be permitted in the designated outdoor smoking shelters. Dress Standards A relaxed dress standard has been applied in the Phoenix Club from Sunday to Friday. The minimum standard during this period is now clean jeans, collared short sleeved shirt (including polo shirts), clean shoes or trainers. Shorts, T-Shirts, tracksuit bottoms and football/rugby tops are not acceptable. On Saturdays a casual dress standard is in place. Full details of the dress code is promulgated in the foyer area and on the link below Phoenix Club Dress Regulations Catering. Meals are provided in the Phoenix Club at the times detailed below:
Special diets can be catered for provided the Junior Ranks Mess is notified in at least 7 days in advance, on exts 6272 or 6283. Security Normal MOD security arrangements are in place at DFTDC. You must remain alert at all times and are to immediately report any unusual incidents, suspect packages or other items to your instructor, any other member of permanent staff or Guardroom Staff. Personnel bags must be labelled and are not to be left unattended, except in authorised locker rooms or bedrooms. During heightened security states, you are to strictly comply with any instructions given by staff or other authorised person. Health & Safety The Commandant has overall responsibility for the Health & Safety of all persons employed at or visiting DFTDC. However, all personnel, whether they are staff, students, visitors or contractors, regardless of status or rank, also have a legal duty to comply with H&S Legislation and Directives. Where information on safety is communicated by way of notices, written or verbal orders (including briefings) you must comply. Any breaches of Health & Safety standards or protective measures are to be brought to the attention of a member of permanent staff without delay. You will receive further Health & Safety information as part of the introductory brief at the start of your course. Booking In and Out During Your Course For Duty of Care reasons all Recruit Course (Phase 2) personnel who are accommodated at DFTDC are required to book in and out whenever they enter or leave the Unit during their course, regardless of the time of day or night. A log for this purpose, in which you will be required to enter your rank, name, course title, date and the time, is located in the Main Guardroom. Note: You are not permitted to leave the Unit during course hours (including meal breaks) without the authority of your course instructor. Personal Protective Equipment All students are to bring their own Bristol Uniform fire kit (PPE). Personnel who fly to attend courses can make use of PPE from DFTDC stores, however, there is a limited supply of sizes in stock and you are required to liaise with Clothing Stores at DFTDC as soon as possible on ext 6270. You are to bring your own Flash hood, gloves and socks as these are "next to skin" items. Equal Opportunities It is DFTDC policy that everyone regardless of age, sex, gender, nationality, race, culture, religion or educational background should be able to conduct their business in a pleasant and comfortable atmosphere. All forms of harassment, discrimination and offensive behaviour are totally unacceptable and will be dealt with immediately and decisively. Discipline The highest standards of discipline are expected from all students attending the Training School. DFTDC will not hesitate to instigate disciplinary procedures where the behaviour of either an individual or group warrants it. In the event such action is necessary it will be taken in full consultation with authorities at the individual’s station. Paying of Compliments In outdoor areas you are to pay compliments to all Officers regardless of service, in accordance with your appropriate service drill instructions. Where you are engaged in practical training, it is inappropriate for compliments to be paid however, you must be aware of an officer’s presence and act accordingly. Uniform Members of uniformed services must wear approved uniform on all occasions in accordance with their service dress regulations unless personal protective equipment (fire kit) is being worn or you are directed otherwise. Military personnel must wear their respective uniforms in accordance with single service dress regulations. Approved PPE and uniform means that which is issued to you by the employer who is sending you on the course (eg MOD) and not a secondary employer (eg Local Authority Fire and Rescue Service (retained employment)). Civilian personnel may wear a short sleeve shirt with or without a tie at all times of year both inside and outside of buildings. Non-uniformed students are expected to wear smart conventional dress. All personnel are to wear a tie when a long sleeve shirt is worn. Medical & Dental Facilities There are no Medical or Dental facilities at DFTDC. Service personnel who require such services should contact either their course instructors or another member of permanent staff who will arrange for treatment at Shorncliffe Barracks. Civilians who require these services will be transported to the Casualty Department at Margate Hospital. Recreational Facilities A limited range of recreational facilities are available at DFTDC: Sports Facilities A Gymnasium (multi gym and free weights), sports hall, tennis courts and a squash court are available to students. You must receive authorisation before being allowed to use the facilities which are available 24 hours per day (except tennis). There is a small charge for civilian personnel to use the facilities (£1 for 1 week courses, £3 for longer courses). Keys for the facilities are available from the Guardroom outside of working hours. Blues & Twos Club The Blues & Twos Club is for the use of all students (and staff). The Club is open during the day from Monday to Friday and in the evenings from Sunday to Thursday. Opening hours vary and are available directly from the Club. Outside of the published opening hours access may be gained to the recreational facilities provided in the Club by contacting the Guardroom. In addition to the above, access to the Phoenix club bar and adjacent TV lounge is permitted for all students during normal bar times Friday (Evening) & Saturday (Bank Holidays and Public Holidays are also included when the Blues and Twos club is closed). Access to the Phoenix club is only to be via the main door into the foyer area and all other areas (i.e. sleeping quarters/dining room) are out of bounds. Internet Café An Internet café is located within the Blues and Twos Club and is available 24 hours per day. There is a charge for the use of the facility. Incoming Mail The postal address for mail is: Defence Fire Training and Development Centre MOD Manston Ramsgate CT12 5BS Official mail should be addressed to ‘The Commandant’. Private mail should be addressed to you by your rank and name and should include your course title and number. Outgoing Mail Outgoing mail may be handed in to the Registry. Private mail must have the necessary postage stamps affixed before being handed in. Alternatively private mail may be put in the Royal Mail post box at the entrance to DFTDC. Telephone, Fax and E-mail A list of useful telephone numbers, fax numbers and email addresses is included on this site. Departure Vehicles Issued with a Temporary Vehicle Pass If you were issued with a temporary vehicle pass when you arrived at DFTDC it must be returned to the Guardroom when you depart. Official Hire Cars One way hire vehicles will be delivered to the Phoenix Club car park; keys will be deposited at the Guardroom. Rail Travel Should you require transport to the local railway station on completion of your course you must inform your course instructor as soon as possible so that the necessary arrangements can be made. Coach Travel Should you require transport to the local coach pick up point (Ramsgate) on completion of your course you must inform your course instructor as soon as possible so that the necessary arrangements can be made. Air Travel If you are travelling by air from either a civil airport or RAF Brize Norton all MT requests are to be submitted in conjunction with arrivals submission. Only in exceptional circumstances will MT arrange alternative travel arrangements. For further information, see list of Contacts at DFTDC Issue 6 (Apr 10)
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