Firefighters are being trained on how to rescue animals in special training courses, which started on July 16 at Pardisan Wildlife Clinic in Tehran. Organized by the Education Office at the Department of Environment, the courses cover a wide array of topics related to wild animals, their habitats, behavior and how to rescue and carry them to safety with no risks. The sessions put special emphasis on reptiles, especially snakes, "due to the sheer volume of snake-related cases", said Kioumars Kalantari, the head of the Education Office. "After the training, firefighters should be able to distinguish between venomous and non-venomous snakes, and catch them safely." About 250 firefighters at the District 2 fire station in Tehran form the first group of trainees to attend such sessions five days a week. Furthermore, one training day in a week is specified for the head of fire station. Following a request by Tehran Fire Department, all firefighters in the Iranian capital will undergo such training.
