Dozens of firefighters were involved in recreating a chemical spill as part of a training exercise.

Cambs Times: Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service. Dozens of firefighters were involved in recreating a chemical spill at a Peterborough business as part of a partnership training exercise.Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service. Dozens of firefighters were involved in recreating a chemical spill at a Peterborough business as part of a partnership training exercise. (Image: Archant)

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) officers planned the training drill with managers at GE Power and Water, in Orton Southgate, to give firefighters and staff the opportunity to test their emergency procedures during a chemical incident.

Cambs Times: Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service. Dozens of firefighters were involved in recreating a chemical spill at a Peterborough business as part of a partnership training exercise.Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service. Dozens of firefighters were involved in recreating a chemical spill at a Peterborough business as part of a partnership training exercise. (Image: Archant)

Crews from Stanground, Dogsthorpe, Yaxley and a team of firefighters from St Neots specially trained to deal with hazardous materials took part in the exercise along with CFRS officers and staff from GE.

Cambs Times: Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service. DOZENS of firefighters were involved in recreating a chemical spill at a Peterborough business as part of a partnership training exercise.Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service. DOZENS of firefighters were involved in recreating a chemical spill at a Peterborough business as part of a partnership training exercise. (Image: Archant)

Clad in bright green gas-tight suits and breathing apparatus, teams of firefighters went into the building to rescue casualties, while other crews practised skills including full decontamination, water-sourcing exercises, radio messaging and incident command.

Watch Commander Giles Grainger, from Stanground black watch, said: “Chemical exercises are by far some of the hardest to recreate in a training environment and having a location like GE meant the firefighters could experience the atmosphere of a real incident. “Although there were no real flames or harmful chemicals spilt, firefighters still benefited hugely from being able to use an unfamiliar site.

“The exercise went extremely well and we would like to thank GE for having us.”

John Wilson, from GE, said: “Exercises like the chemical response drill allow us to practice our emergency response plans and make improvements based on real experiences.

“It is also beneficial for us to know that in the event of a real emergency the fire service is familiar with our site and processes.”