Hazmat Training Exercise a Great Success

On Saturday, 11^th October, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) crew members took part in a 5-pump Hazmat Exercise named ‘Exercise Rat’, held at the National Pool in Swansea. 

The exercise, consisting of crew members and appliances from Morriston, Swansea Central, Swansea West, Pontardulais and Llanelli Fire Station was designed to test the crew’s operational response to a hazmat incident with live casualties in a realistic environment.

Swansea’s National Pool was the ideal location for the exercise enabling the crew to practice Initial Operational Response process (IOR), conduct area decontamination for the Breathing Apparatus (BA) wearers, apply safe undress procedures, perform initial decontamination for gas tight suit wearers and deliver public safety advice for hazardous environments.

Station Manager Richie Davies said:

“The exercise at ‘Swansea National Pool’ was a great success. It provided a perfect opportunity for our crews to practice and perform operational responses to hazmat incidents. All attendees worked tirelessly to test our procedures in a realistic environment, this providing a platform for excellent learning opportunities for the crew. Well done to all involved”

The exercise was a huge success with crews gaining valuable knowledge in a realistic setting.

Thank you to the hard work and dedication from the crew, the officers that were involved and for the understanding of the public whist the exercise took place.

A special thanks goes out to Swansea West Fire Station and Watch Manager Jon Bates for organising the exercise, to Jonah Millar from National Pool for his support in helping organise the exercise and finally to CFO Roger Thomas for attending his last operational exercise before his retirement!