The Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth played host to an exercise on Friday afternoon which saw firefighters work alongside hospital teams testing their evacuation procedures.
Crews from Cosham, Hayling Island, Southsea and Petersfield took part in the drill which saw them tested with a fire in a ward before they were faced with an electric vehicle fire on the top floor of the car park.
The scenario was designed to test the responses and actions of HIWFRS crews as well as Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust teams.
The organisers carefully planned the exercise, ensuring that there was minimal disruption to the patients, staff and visitors on site.
Station Manager Steve Jenkins said:
“It is so important that our crews get the opportunity to put their drillyard training into practice, testing their skills in a realistic environment.
“Being granted access to part of the hospital helps our teams become familiar with the layout and provides a greater understanding of a critical site in our area, which enhances our response to any incident here.
“I must thank the teams at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust for allowing us to conduct this exercise here, as well as those that helped organise the scenario which will benefit both us and the hospital.”
Portsmouth firefighters have been busy with various exercises in recent weeks following a training scenario at the naval base in the city.
Back in May crews from Southsea, Cosham, Alton and Havant were tasked with a fire onboard a ship in the city’s dockyard.
HIWFRS teams worked closely with the naval base who kindly allowed firefighters access to the area to test their skills.
On-call crews from across the New Forest were given access to the ABP Solent Gateway site in Marchwood for a training exercise.
Firefighters from Hardley, Hythe and Beaulieu were tasked with rescuing three missing casualties inside a railway shed on fire.
Thank you to all the sites who have supported our teams by allowing them access to test their skills on their properties.
