carcrashAvon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) crews have been working with other emergency services to educate police cadets and the public about road and boat safety.

As part of the exercise with police, a multi-vehicle road traffic collision demonstration was staged at Bath Racecourse with the cadets playing the roles of drivers and casualties.

Make-up was used to make the injuries of the casualties look realistic. Firefighters used hydraulic cutting equipment to cut the casualties out of the vehicles and then worked alongside ambulance crews to assist them on to spinal boards. The Great Western Air Ambulance also landed to fly a casualty to hospital.

The ‘crash’ was caused by teenagers in two cars racing and colliding with a middle-aged
couple driving the other way. It is hoped the cadets and their families, who were also watching, will think more about road safety in the future.

This exercise came just after crews from Bath, Temple and Bedminster fire stations took to the water during Boat Fire Safety Week to speak to people living on vessels about fire safety.

After knocking on portholes in areas where many houseboats are moored, firefighters offered fire prevention advice and discussed the importance of working smoke alarms, storing fuel properly and making sure they had an escape plan.