FIREFIGHTERS turned up the heat at a high-rise training exercise last week.
Warwickshire Fire and Rescue crews were tasked with tackling a blaze and rescuing five mock casualties on the fifth floor of the vacant 11-storey Beechwood Court building at Rounds Gardens in Rugby – the tenants of which have been rehomed ready for the three tower blocks to be taken down.
Five fire engines and their crews took part in the exercise, which took place on Thursday (February 24).
As part of the training, crews used cosmetic smoke to help the 30 firefighters test procedures and analyse resources, equipment, and their individual roles in a real-life scenario.
Following the exercise, the firefighters received a full debrief looking at how the exercise went and how challenges were overcome.
Rob Allen, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Assistant Chief Fire Officer, said: “Training exercises like these are vital for our firefighters, officers and our control room because they allow us to test our procedures in realistic and challenging environments ahead of any real-life emergency.
“A huge thank you goes to Rugby Borough Council for providing us with the unique opportunity to undertake the training exercise in an empty building to test our operational procedures.
“This training exercise is one of many that we undertake throughout the year to help keep Warwickshire communities safer.”
Visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fireandrescue for more information on fire safety.
