ICYMI: Bovey's firefighters keeping busy: callouts, training and fitness testing

THE great and the good from Bovey Tracey Fire Station have been keeping themselves busy this past week: completing their yearly fitness assessments, attending numerous fires and taking part in a rescue from height exercise in Buckfastleigh.

The crew at Bovey Tracey are assessed every year to ensure fitness for operational duties; this is done by undertaking the beep test or a treadmill test.

And, unsurprisingly, the crew achieved a pass mark, with even going above and beyond the required minimum levels in a textbook example of endurance.

Elsewhere, the crew responded to three fires on a rail embankment in Kingswear, which necessitated the use of the 4x4 Ranger and ATV.

A spokesman for Bovey Tracey Fire Station said: 'With the South West currently on an Amber Alert with hot weather expected, we urge our communities to be extra vigilant.

'Discarded cigarettes, glass bottles and disposable BBQ’s are a few causes of devastating fires that can put wildlife and our crews at risk.

'Please reconsider any controlled burning or bonfires at this time.

'Do not leave any fires unattended and have a good source of water nearby to ensure it is properly extinguished.

On Wednesday, June 7, firefighters from Bovey Tracey were set to test their operational knowledge of 'Rescues at Height', however the abovementioned fire at Kingswear somewhat interfered with the plan.

In spite of this, and despite their colleagues from Buckfastleigh Fire Station, who were set to join them, being called away to a Small Animal Rescue, the exercise was able to go ahead.

Joined by the ALP (Aerial Ladder Platform) from Torquay and their colleagues from Urban Search and Rescue, crews from Bovey, as well as the remaining Buckfastleigh team, utilised stabilisation equipment and airbags to rescue a live casualty trapped under a steel beam on the tracks while the ALP crew got to work to rescue an unconscious casualty from a tower.

The USAR team used their specialist line rescue expertise and equipment to safely secure and transport another casualty from another tower.

A spokesman for Bovey Tracey Fire Station said: 'Despite the depleted numbers, the crews worked well together with plenty of communication and coordination to ensure a successful outcome to the exercise.

'We extend our thanks to the staff at South Devon Railway for allowing us to use their premises to carry out this training and for their active and enthusiastic approach to their role in the incident.'