PEOPLE are being urged not to be alarmed if they see what they think is a fire in an empty block of flats in Rugby on Wednesday.
Firefighters will be put to the test in a training exercise taking place at at Beechwood Court, Round Gardens from 10am on Wednesday (June 15).
Crews will face a challenging realistic scenario that will test their operational procedures, equipment, and individual role requirements to ensure they are prepared for future incidents.
The exercise will continue for the duration of the morning. Following the exercise, the firefighters will receive a full debrief reviewing the effectiveness of their response and how challenges were overcome.
Members of the public passing the training site should expect scenes that may appear similar to a real incident – there will be up to ten fire engines as well as police cars and ambulances in attendance.
Cosmetic smoke will be used for the exercise, which may be seen leaving the flat block, and role players will act as casualties and be evacuated from the building. Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Service have asked residents do not call 999 and avoid flocking to the area.
Station Manager Andy Paxton said: “Training exercises are essential for our service as they help us fully test our people and procedures in a situation that replicates a real-life incident. This means we can be completely prepared for dealing with these scenarios when they occur.
“We would like to say a massive thank you to Rugby Borough Council for giving us access to the buildings for our exercise. This has been a rare opportunity to use an empty high-rise for our training, and without the council’s support, cooperation and partnership working we would not have been able to benefit.”
Residents looking for further updates on this training exercise and other Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Service activity can find the service on Facebook – @warwickshirefireandrescueservice – and Twitter – @WarksFireRescue.
