This is a drill!
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service carry out specialist vehicle training at Tarmac’s Littlehampton site
THE emergency services team from West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service has recently used Tarmac’s Littlehampton asphalt plant to carry out specialist vehicle and capability training.
To maintain competency and prepare for potential emergency situations in a real-life environment, the crew at West Sussex Fire & Rescue teamed up with Tarmac to carry out training with its high-volume pump (HVP) at the Littlehampton site.
Fire and rescue services across the country have been equipped with HVPs to assist in putting out fires and managing large areas of flooding, as well as responding to national incidents.
Laurence Joel, assistant manager at Tarmac Littlehampton, said: ‘We’re pleased we could accommodate the team at West Sussex Fire & Rescue with their training. We’ve got a pretty big site here at Littlehampton, and to be able to use it for something a little out of the ordinary has been brilliant. We’d be happy to welcome them back any time and are delighted we could help. It’s a nice feeling to be able to give back once in a while.’
Jon Etherington, lead HVP instructor for West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, said: ‘Training periodically throughout the year is imperative to aid the operational readiness of the HVP asset, as well as to test the overall efficiency and skill of the crews. We’ve visited the Littlehampton site five times during June alone, and currently have approximately 30 people trained to use the HVP so far.
‘Co-operation with local businesses and partners really does aid our training, ensuring we are prepared for any emergency which might come our way. We can’t thank Laurence and the team at Tarmac’s Littlehampton site enough, especially when it can often be difficult to find locations which are suitable to operate the HVPs due to the constraints of the vehicle and equipment. Carrying out training at a site like Littlehampton provides us with everything we need, and more.’
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service has had an HVP at Bognor Regis fire station since 2016. The asset consists of two prime-mover MAN vehicles. One vehicle carries 1km of 6in hose and a submersible pump which is capable of pumping up to 7,000 litres of water per minute. The second vehicle carries 2km of 6in hose. Both are crewed by five personnel.
