Major Fire Service Training Exercise Takes In Stafford Town Centre

A major training exercise saw ten fire appliances from across Staffordshire descend on Tipping Street in Stafford last week, as crews practised a dramatic and highly realistic high-rise rescue scenario.

​The simulation, which began around 9am on Tuesday 30th September, was designed to replicate a major incident, with reports of a fire inside a flat on the second floor of a six-storey building.

​The exercise included a team of actors and volunteers playing the role of trapped residents. Onlookers, including myself, were struck by the realism of the scene. One actor could be heard shouting for help from a window and expressing panic about pets trapped inside the building, while other volunteers were seen waving for attention, adding to the sense of urgency.

​Crews from stations including Belgrave, Lichfield, Cannock, Newcastle, and Burton worked quickly to identify hazards before firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the building to evacuate the residents and extinguish the simulated fire with hose reel jets.

​Delivery Group Manager, Dave Steele, said:

​“This exercise was extremely beneficial in allowing our firefighters to put their skills into practice and identify any key areas of improvement... It's vital that we continue to utilise real-life locations across Staffordshire during our training in order to give our firefighters the most realistic and effective methods of training.”

​He also thanked local residents and shoppers for their patience during the disruption. The exercise highlighted the incredible skill and professionalism of our local fire crews in preparing for the most challenging of situations.