Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 31/10/2005 18:30

Westcountry Ambulance Services NHS Trust staff are to swap roles with the Fire Brigade in a combined training exercise to be held on Monday 31st October at Callington Fire Station. The event, which commences at 1830, involves a role reversal exercise whereby the ambulance staff, comprising Technicians, Paramedics, and two Assistant Divisional Officers, are volunteering their time to work with their colleagues in a hypothetical scenario.

The exercise involves the ambulance staff utilising the fire brigade’s cutting equipment to release a patient from a vehicle, whilst the fire personnel deal with patient care. The vehicle and volunteer casualties will be on scene for the exercise, which exemplifies the necessity for multi-agency working. As all the emergency services work together so closely, it is vital that each have an appreciation and empathy for the challenges faced by their colleagues. An exercise like this also helps to strengthen existing positive links between the two services, who deal with incidents like the staged example on a regular basis.

Assistant Divisional Officer, Steve Boucher is pleased to be involved in the event and explains,

“Exercises like these are invaluable to all emergency services involved. In addition to providing a positive example of multi-agency team work, the event will help to build on existing good relationships between us in Westcountry Ambulance Service and our colleagues in Devon and Cornwall Fire and Rescue Services. We work in partnership on incidents like this on a regular basis and the appreciation of the knowledge and skills required by each service, along with the challenges we face in our respective roles is vital when working in a team environment.”

Station Officer Kevin Rookley from Callington Fire Station added: “The evening provides us with an excellent opportunity to share the knowledge and expertise we have in our different fields. This can only benefit everyone when we face a real emergency.
Cornwall County Fire Brigade takes part in many multi-agency exercises across the County, all of which help us to improve and enhance the various skills of a firefighter”