Cambridgeshire firefighters train in soft play centre exercise

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 16:38 · Archive

Cambridgeshire on-call firefighters have completed training exercises at a children's soft play centre.

On-call firefighters from Thorney and Ely in Cambridgeshire have undertaken a series of training exercises at Play2Day Wisbech, a children's soft play centre. The drills form part of their regular weekly training, known as drill nights, to ensure crews remain prepared for real-life emergencies.

Thorney firefighters wore full breathing apparatus with vision deliberately obscured to simulate smoke whilst navigating the play structure to locate and rescue training casualties. At Ely, new firefighters practised safely pitching a large ladder, a task requiring a four-person team. At Thorney, crews also tackled a mock incident involving hazardous materials and heavy smoke, wearing breathing apparatus to search for casualties and extinguish a simulated fire.

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service said the soft play structure provided an excellent setting to test firefighters' ability to work through tight, restricted spaces while remaining calm under pressure. Paul Oliver, group commander and head of on-call for the service, said the training helps crews maintain their skills and remain ready to respond to emergencies, whether through station-based drills or larger exercises with other stations. The service is recruiting more local people to join stations as on-call firefighters.

How it is being reported

• Cambridgeshire firefighters tackle smoke-filled soft play rescue exerciseOn-call firefighters have been putting their skills to the test through a series of training exercises in Cambridgeshire.Cambs Times · 5 Nov, 15:53
• Cambridgeshire firefighters tackle smoke-filled soft play rescue exerciseOn-call firefighters have been putting their skills to the test through a series of training exercises in Cambridgeshire.Ely Standard · 5 Nov, 15:53

In this story: Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service · Play2Day Wisbech · Thorney · Ely · Paul Oliver

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