DO you own or an empty property or know someone that does? The Jersey Fire and Rescue Service is asking owners or developers if abandoned sites can be used for essential staff training.
Domestic and commercial properties are preferred – including hotels and high-rises – as they provide a more complex layout to test the crew’s skills and knowledge in simulated emergency situations.
During the breathing apparatus training, which take place four times a year, the service use cosmetic smoke to simulate a fire.
No water is used, but empty or derelict buildings are preferred as “less risk” is involved, according to crew commander Oli Gleave.
Finding new locations is important, he added, as the training develops skills needed during the “biggest risk of the job”.
Commander Gleave explained: “We’re teaching our guys to search and rescue with essentially very little visibility.
“If a property is used again and again, they will become too familiar with the layout.
“It’s almost like muscle memory, which doesn’t use the techniques we want to develop.”
After properties have been offered, Commander Gleave added that the service undertakes risk assessments and nearby residents are alerted before any training takes place.
If you own or know of a property that could be used for firefighting tests you can contact s.admin@gov.je.
