Nicky Harvey

Nicky Harvey

Training Manager STCW

E-mail: info@thevipergroup.co.uk
Phone: 44 (0)1326 761 277
Brief info

Born in Birmingham in 1970 I moved to Penzance, Cornwall at the age of 11, leaving school at 16 with a scattering of ‘O’ levels. Deciding to forego further education I took up an apprenticeship in a local garage where I worked until the age of 18. Needing a change of both jobs and scenery I enrolled in H.M. Royal Marines in 1988 spending most of my 7 years in 42 Commando and Commando Logistics in Plymouth. During those seven years I participated in numerous NATO exercises across the globe, trained in Arctic, Jungle, Urban and Orthodox Warfare and engaged in an operational tour of Northern Ireland. On several occasions I also served as embarked Commando Force at sea on vessels HMS Invincible, HMS Fearless and RFA Sir Galahad.

In 1995, seeking further change I joined Cornwall Fire Brigade, since when I have been fortunate enough to enjoy a varied, interesting and at times challenging career. During my career I was involved operationally at every level up to the rank/role of Station Manager. I have participated in and managed a huge array of incidents involving fire, flood, crashes, hazardous materials and environmental issues. This has included two significant fire-fighting incidents at sea, one of which also had to result in a rapid vessel evacuation off-shore. All, to a greater or lesser degree have required the firm application of training and experience  in order to reach successful conclusions. On occasion, bitter experiences have provided platforms to make changes and improvements to the way in which we do things. In addition to my Operational roles I benefitted hugely from 2 separate periods within the training arena. From 2002 until 2005 as a Watch Manager I was employed as a Training Instructor. My primary remit was Breathing Apparatus and I am qualified as a Breathing Apparatus Instructor, Compartment Fire Behaviour Instructor and Tactical Ventilation Instructor. The role involved development and facilitation of courses for our operational work force and involved fire-fighting and search and rescue techniques in domestic and commercial environments including Maritime. My 2nd period in Training was in the role of Service Training Manager between 2015 and 2019. This entailed management of a team of 12 instructors and programming, resourcing and facilitation of our Operational Training Programme for our entire uniformed work force of 600 personnel in line with the Service Integrated Risk Management Plan.

 

Following that, I assumed a role as a Station manager with a Response remit managing Tolvaddon Whole-time station with 28 full-time and 18 part-time fire-fighters with responsibility for ensuring the station met it's commitments and maintained it's performance with regards to Prevention, Protection and Response within the local community. I also provided supervisory support to a part time station in St Ives. I gave supervisory support and performed Command and specialist support roles at incidents and I am a qualified Hazardous Materials and Environmental Support Advisor and Fire Investigation Officer. To underpin some of these roles I have also gained the NEBOSH General Certificate in Health and Safety.

 

Since retiring from Whole-time Service In July 2020 I have continued in an Operational Fire-fighting role by assuming a position as an On Call fire-fighter at my local fire station in Penzance where I hold the rank of Crew Manager. Additionally, I continue to support the Service in conducting Fire Service Apprenticeship End Point Assessments for Fire and Rescue Services all over the UK. I am also a local Fire Brigade Union official and undertake the role of Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service Chair. I periodically undertake instructor work for Falmouth Training Solutions primarily with the delivery of Maritime Fire-fighting Courses.

On a personal level, I am married to Jo with two children (girl of 19, boy of 16) and live in Penzance. I’m a very keen cyclist but am now realising that at the age of 51 the wind always seems to be against me and I always feel like I’m going uphill. I also love to read and I play the 5 string banjo to a level that is only tolerable to me.

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At Viper all our instructors are active in the security industry and come from an ex-mil, ex-pol, ex- fire and rescue or civilian background with many years’ experience in hostile and non-hostile environments.

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