Fire and rescue training heats up at Exeter water site

31st July 2023

A South West Water water treatment works in Exeter was the scene of life-saving exercises earlier this month in a joint training session with Exeter and Bristol based Fire and Rescue teams.

The training was designed to get a response time from the fire service for a call out to the site and boost the training of the Fire and Rescue crews to respond to emergency situations.

In the first training scenario of the day, South West Water water treatment technicians were attempting to stem a chlorine leak as the buildings emergency evacuation alarm sounded, which left two workers trapped in the chlorine room with limited oxygen.

The first fire rescue team on scene carried out a snatch rescue to remove the workers from the building. This is where the firefighters are forced to enter through the front door into a developing and worsening situation to search for confirmed occupants whilst working without water.

In the second training scenario, the fire crew donned gas-tight green suits and set out to stem the leak and investigate the cause and extent of the incident.

The two fire and rescue crews from Exeter, along with the South West Water participants, then got to experience the work of the Bristol rescue decontamination crew. This involved going through a full chemical shower.

Shaun Gowen, Crew Manager for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: “Training and exercises like this which give our teams more training and tests our procedures is vital to keep up our skills. It was great to work alongside South West Water employees in a realistic environment.”

Rich Rogers, Health & Safety Director for South West Water, said: “These types of exercises allow us to support emergency responders by providing them with scenes and locations to put their life-saving skills into practice. Fortunately, these types of events do not happen often in real life, but if they do, we want to have plans in place and to be ready to deal with these situations in an effective and efficient manner.

“It was absolutely fascinating to see the firefighters in action and great for our teams to participate in the action too.”