News
We're been taking firefighters into the sewers for rescue exercise
21st September 2016
We've been working with firefighters from Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service to facilitate a training exercise simulating rescuing someone from a confined space.
Firefighters from Ilkeston, Heanor, Ripley and Matlock were involved in the exercise on Saturday (15 October) which took place in a 2.1m diameter sewer tunnel being constructed to reduce flooding in Breach Road, Heanor.
Graham Robinson, a senior programme engineer who was involved in organising the training, said: “We’d initially been in touch with the fire service around a risk assessment check but they were really keen to use one of our tunnels to carry out some training.
“Heanor turned out to be an ideal location for the exercise and on Saturday around 20 firefighters, three fire engines and one specialist unit took part in the rescue exercise alongside 10 engineers from NMCNomenca with Severn Trent on location to assist.
“We’re always happy to help our emergency service colleagues and events like this will help us to develop best practice and work more closely together in the future.”
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service Group Manager, Bob Curry said: “By taking part in exercises which simulate real situations, our firefighters can train to deal with all manner of incidents, as well as develop closer working practices with partners and other emergency services – this is why working with partners such as Severn Trent, on exercises such as this is invaluable.”