A member of the Airport Fire Service at Kirkwall Airport has achieved 100% in his exams at the International Fire Training Centre (IFTC) for the second year running.

Scott Milne has received the prestigious Firefighter of the Year Award from IFTC for his 100% mark in his firefighter course in March 2002. He also achieved 100% and received the award for his basic firefighter course at IFTC in November 2001.

The 28-year-old is a firefighter on Red Watch at Kirkwall Airport in Orkney, one of 10 airports operated by HIAL.

Scott, a keen rugby player, was one of more than 100 delegates on the firefighter course at IFTC in Teesside last year and carried out three weeks of training including classroom based study, drills and practical fire ground work.

David Berston, Airport Fire Service station officer at Kirkwall Airport said: "I believe Scott’s achievement is a first for these courses at IFTC and we are all delighted that he has recorded such an impressive result two years in a row. Scott won’t be back at IFTC for about three years but we’ll certainly have high expectations for him when he does return for his next training."

Bob Macleod, managing director of Highlands and Islands Airports added: "We have an extremely dedicated and efficient Airport Fire Service across our 10 stations, whose members regularly work above and beyond the call of duty providing on call services for out of hours emergency and air ambulance flights for their communities. Scott is a fine example of a recent recruit to the AFS who has made a real impression and taken full advantage of the training and opportunities open to him. I’m sure his colleagues would join me in offering him our congratulations."

ENDS