A business has been praised for lending out its premises to help train firefighters from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

More than 100 firefighters have taken part in "vital" training exercises at Bridgnorth Aluminium which employs 230 at its 64 acre site. Head of Development, Safety and Risk, Andy Perry, presented the firm with framed images and an employers' plaque to thank them for their "priceless" support. "We are limited to where we can train in realistic conditions so it is good when we get an employer such as Bridgnorth Aluminium allowing us to use their site.

"We need to run as many training exercises which are as close to real life as possible to ensure our firefighters are highly skilled and competent to carry out their role whatever the scenario. They have to be ready for all eventualities."

Simon MacVicker, MD of Bridgnorth Aluminium, said: "Our company is part of the community and we want to work together with Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service. We all know how devastating fire can be and it is important that they have the right venue to train in.

"We are very pleased to be in a position to help and very honoured to receive the presentation."

Shropshire firefighters took part in four major training exercises at the Bridgnorth site last year. One involved filling a 20ft by 10ft portakabin with high expansion foam, similar to soap suds, to simulate the experience of working in foam to fight fires.

"If it wasn't for Bridgnorth Aluminium we would not be able to hold such vital training," said Retained Support Officer Dave Jennings.

The brigade is appealing for employers' with other suitable training venues such as empty buildings, storage areas, tunnels, scrapyards, factories or anywhere with a confined space where they can train.

 

Photo: Bridgnorth firefighters Luke Veal and Ian Dudley experience the "foam pod" in a training session at Bridgnorth Aluminium

 

Posted April 13th, 2012 at 1445 by Andrew. Comment by emailing: andrew.lynch@pavpub.com