Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) Holds Major High-Rise Fire Safety Training Exercise In Kirkby, United Kingdom

A Knowsley tower block played host to a major training exercise when the Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) led an exercise to test their response, in the case of a major high-rise fire incident.

MFRS’ fire safety training exercise

Around 80 emergency service staff, eight fire engines, two support vehicles, and an aerial platform ladder vehicle descended on the unoccupied Gaywood Green, on Broad Lane, in Kirkby, United Kingdom, on Thursday, July 22, 2021, as part of the fire safety and rescue training exercise.

The training day involved a simulation of a fire in Block 4 of Gaywood Green, with actors posing as residents

The training day involved a simulation of a fire in Block 4 of Gaywood Green, with actors posing as residents, in need of evacuation and immediate assistance. The training exercise was designed to test a number of areas and give new firefighters the opportunity to experience a realistic fire and evacuation scenario, in a high-rise building. It also gave fire control operators the opportunity to put their high-rise fire survival guidance techniques to the test.

Gaywood Green high-rise building test site

Gaywood Green is thought to be the only empty high-rise building in the country, is used by a fire service to undertake live practice scenarios, and while this high-rise exercise, in particular, is the first of its size, since the global COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, it follows more than 18 months’ worth of smaller-scale exercises at the Kirkby site.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service’s Group Manager, Dave Watson said, “While the risk of serious fire in a high-rise building in Merseyside is low, thanks in large part to our preventative work in the community, the Grenfell Tower tragedy is a constant reminder of what can happen, when those risks become real."

He adds, "This exercise gave us a real opportunity to test our current procedures and national guidance, ensuring they are robust, effective and fit for the future.”

Partner with housing providers and local authorities

Dave Watson further stated, “We work closely with housing providers and local authorities, to ensure the safety of those living within high-rise buildings and exercises like this are vital. We would like to thank Livv Housing and the local community, for giving us the opportunity to carry out a large exercise, in a realistic setting.”

We have, of course, continued to train our staff on a regular basis"

He adds, “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to support the safety of our staff, we have been unable to carry out any training exercises of this size, for some time now. We have, of course, continued to train our staff on a regular basis, but it is great to be able to put their skills truly to the test, in such a challenging and realistic scenario.”

Preparing for high-rise fires and other emergencies

The exercise will be thoroughly evaluated and any learning outcomes will be shared, both locally and nationally, in an effort to improve safety for all and hopefully reduce the possibility of future high-rise fires.

Tony Cahill, Executive Director at Livv Housing Group, said “The safety and protection of our residents is of the upmost importance to us, which is why we are proud to be working in partnership with Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, to help them prepare for high-rise emergency incidents."

He adds, "As far as we are aware, Gaywood Green is the only empty high-rise building in the country that is being used by a fire service, to undertake live exercises like this and as a result, MFRS will be able to share learning with other fire services around the country.”