A new facility providing realistic training scenarios for Warwickshire’s firefighters has opened in Rugby.
The training centre provides a safe and secure environment to carry out hot fire training, meaning our firefighters can train in realistic scenarios. The state-of-the-art facility is made up of a series of structures mimicking different types of buildings that can be repeatedly set on fire in a controlled environment.
The facility also includes welfare facilities that reduce the health risks associated with the biproducts of fire and prevent contamination into the wider community. It also contains a state-of-the-art filtration and scrubbing system which removes the smoke produced and captures harmful contaminates which can then be disposed of safely. It’s a zero emissions facility, and its impact on local wildlife has also been minimised using intelligent lighting.
Watch WFRS crews training at the new facility here:
The facility is the first of its kind in the county, with firefighters previously travelling to neighbouring counties to train. With the centre being based within Warwickshire firefighters will now be able to attend to large-scale emergencies if required during their training days, with the facility also providing the capability to dispatch a fire engine.
Councillor Andy Crump, Portfolio Holder for Fire and Rescue and Community Safety at Warwickshire County Council, said: “The opening of our new training facility is a great achievement for the fire service.
“This state-of-the-art facility will help to upskill our people in their roles protecting the communities of Warwickshire and, importantly, has measures in place to protect their health while doing so.
“The new facility means that our firefighters can train in county which benefits both our firefighters and our communities who will have higher levels of protection closer to home”.