Ellesmere Port emergency exercise 'really good learning experience'

That is the view of Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service's (CFRS) Dave Buckland, who was tasked with putting together what became known as 'Civic Flame', an exercise which would test emergency teams on how to respond to a large-scale incident in the area in real time.

Several fire appliances were deployed for the emergency exercise. Picture: Tom Ormiston.

Firefighters were tasked with putting on breathing apparatus as they searched the Civic Way offices – simulated to be in the aftermath of an explosion, with simulated smoke obscuring corridors – for 'casualties' trapped in the upper floors of the building.

Obstacles they had to contend with included power failure in the office block, blocked doors, overturned office equipment, a smoke-logged fourth floor and 'trapped casualties' with broken bones, injured in a rush to get out of the building and/or caught up in the initial explosion.

Fire officers simulate the after effects of an explosion. Picture: Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Onlookers watched on as police, fire and ambulance teams put their plans into operation, rescuing the volunteer casualties and treating them for their 'injuries' at the scene, while United Utilities assisted by bringing a water tanker for back-up firefighting support.

The venue for the exercise was an office block formerly used by Cheshire West and Chester Council and which is planned to be demolished, but the building has found one more purpose.

Firefighters are briefed about the hazards they can expect to find inside the building. Picture: Tom Ormiston.

Mr Buckland explained: "Incidents of this scale are quite rare, which is fortunate obviously, but when we know when these things happen, we need to know that we work together and we've got lots to learn about this.

"We got new procedures in place and practised those today and it's been a really, really good learning experience."

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service station manager Dave Buckland planned the details of the emergency exercise.

He added the exercise was a "rare opportunity" to put new emergency service procedures into practice, instead of deploying them for the first time in real-life incidents.

These included Cheshire firefighters working with Merseyside firefighters, something which would usually only happen in major incidents when additional support was required. It was also the first time Cheshire firefighters were able to try using the water tanker supplied by United Utilities, which provided about "half an hour's worth of water", and could be of use for emergencies outside of towns, with rolling tanker deliveries to ensure continuous water supplies.

'Casualties' are treated by paramedics at the site of the emergency exercise.

Paramedics were also able to wear breathing apparatus and treat casualties inside the building, and making use of a new system called '10-second triage', which rapidly assesses casualties to see who should be top priority for treatment in large-scale incidents where many people are hurt.

Claire Bennett, CFRS volunteer programme manager, said the exercise event had been made possible thanks to the support of volunteers who played a range of roles, including those who were given realistic make-up injuries and had to be treated by emergency teams.

Claire Bennett, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service volunteer programme manager with volunteer casualty Ryan.

She said: "The thing the volunteers get is knowing that they're helping to train the firefighters of the future so that if any of the public, wherever in need of their services, they'll do a top rate job."

Volunteer Ryan was in the third floor of the building and said in the floor above: "You couldn't really see your hand in front of your face really.

Smoke begins to infiltrate the fourth floor. Picture: Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.

"There was about 10 of us on on my floor for the the crews and the heart team from North West Ambulance service to come in and find and assess. They did a quick 10-second assessment."

This is not the first time emergency teams have come together to simulate a large-scale incident in the area, as two years ago they took part in a rescue at Rosies nightclub in Chester city centre, which also saw volunteers take part.

Several fire engines were sent out to the scene.

Ms Bennett added they were always happy to acquire more volunteers: "For anybody out there that would like a little bit of excitement, call Cheshire Fire and Rescue service, you can download the volunteer application on the website and we would be more than happy to welcome you to our family."

One of the 'casualties' is rescued. Picture: Tom Ormiston.