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Wight Building Materials Assists With Life-Saving Fire Service Training

Wight Building Materials (WBM) has again teamed up with the Hampshire and IW Fire and Rescue Service to assist in potentially life-saving training.

The aggregates business provided an old truck which was used by specialist fire service teams to practice techniques to remove trapped casualties from vehicles.

Eight firefighters from the Ryde and Newport stations carried out the training at WBM’s HQ at St George’s Down.

It was the second such training exercise WBM has supported this year as the company looks to build on strong links with the rescue service.

In the summer, firefighters used the 32-metre high WBM asphalt tower in a training scenario involving a ‘casualty’ needing to be brought down from height using rope rescue skills.

Early next year further exercises are planned including another vehicle-type rescue and also using WBM's unique environment to practice mud rescues.

Newport Station Manager Mark Caplen said:

“Exercises like this are vital in developing and maintaining our skills and getting valuable experience.

“This kind of scenario gives you a level of realism you can’t recreate on the drill yard or classroom – they help us keep people safe.

"Thank you to Wight Building Materials who we worked closely with again to arrange the scenario and allowed us to use their site.”

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