Crews from across Shropshire were last night (Tuesday 31st July) called to protect properties from a simulated fire in a large area of woodland at Attingham Park, near Shrewsbury. The scenario was part of an exercise planned by Shropshire Fire and Rescue to test its response to this type of incident.
The exercise involved appliances from Shrewsbury, Wellington, Telford and Market Drayton assisted by Incident Support Units from Bridgnorth, Newport, Market Drayton and Whitchurch and a Water Carrier from Oswestry.
First in attendance were Wellington RDS (Retained Duty System) who quickly got hose reel jets to work to start protecting the property, they quickly identified the River Tern as a suitable water supply. A staging area was set up on the visitor car park at Attingham Park, where crews and resources were managed and deployed. Green Watch Wellington secured the water supply and the Incident Support Units were deployed to create a water relay, over 1 Kilometre using a combination of major and Light Portable Pumps.
Crews demonstrated excellent team work and communication skills over a large area and this enabled the aim of, providing an effective and sustained supply of water to the fire to be achieved.
The task was an arduous one on a warm evening with crews having to lay over 50 lengths of hose up hill to complete the task. Well done to all involved!
The exercise was arranged by the Group Support Teams and we would like to thank Attingham Park for allowing us to use the park land and to the crews involved for their great effort and enthusiasm.
