Cambridgeshire firefighters will be able to practice life-saving rescue techniques after a generous donation from Volvo Truck and Bus Centre in East Anglia.
Firefighters regularly use vehicles such as motorbikes, cars and vans for road traffic collision training. Realising there was a need for training on larger vehicles in the service, Watch commander Matt House initiated a relationship with Rob Wilson from Volvo Peterborough dealer point to start training exercises in the fire service.
Road traffic collision
Consequently, a Volvo FM Globetrotter tractor unit has been gifted to Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service to allow crews to familiarise themselves with large vehicles and put their rescue skills to the test at different scenarios.
The donation came following a visit in May, where crews from Stanground and Dogsthorpe familiarised themselves with the fleet of Volvo trucks to help prepare for responding to a road traffic collision. During the training, Volvo offered further structured demonstrations, such as how the trailer couplings work and safe practices for uncoupling with Volvo’s own demo tractor unit. Firefighters also received greater insight into the cab structure and the safety systems fitted to Volvo vehicles.
Improving operational response
Safety is one of our three core values at Volvo Trucks, alongside quality and the environment"
David Sullivan, Regional managing director of Volvo East Anglia said: "Safety is one of our three core values at Volvo Trucks, alongside quality and the environment. With safety being a core value, we saw an opportunity that came our way to build a relationship with the fire service. Out of the developing communication between Matt House and Rob Wilson from Volvo Peterborough dealer point has grown an opportunity for us to provide a truck for firefighter training. This shows that there is a strong link between our value of safety and the opportunity for the fire service to receive training on trucks."
Sean Hedger, Stanground station commander said: "Today we received the keys for a new training lorry at Stanground Fire Station, this was kindly donated by Volvo East Anglia, who have provided this training resource to CFRS to help improve our operational response those types of incidents.”
Several fire stations
Watch Commander Matt House said: “Having a heavy goods vehicle in the drill yard will open up training opportunities for several fire stations around the north of the county and beyond. We would not cut up a resource like this; we would have it parked up and use it for exercises such as stabilizing, casualty extrication, and mock collisions with cars which we would cut up around the lorry.”
“We are thankful to Volvo for donating this vehicle to us for training purposes; this vehicle will be valuable to the Service and can help save lives. We are grateful for this opportunity.”
