Fire service and rescue training exercise photography Merseyside

Published on Thu Mar 24, 2022 by

Another really interesting commission working with Livv Housing documenting a fire and rescue exercise in high-rise residential apartments.

It was at Gaywood Green Heights at Broad Lane a scheme of four 11-story low-rise buildings in Kirkby. These flats were built back in 1962 and are 32 metres tall. They consist of 256 flats and their demolition was approved back in 2018. Most tenants have already been moved away from the blocks, with only a handful of properties still occupied at the time of writing. It is planned the site will be re-developed and regenerated soon.

As most of the apartments are empty Livv Housing approached Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) and offered the scheme for exercise purposes. The blocks are ideal for training sessions and presented a rare opportunity to create a series of rescue scenarios at high levels in a residential setting.

12 appliances attended from four Fire Rescue Services (Merseyside, Cumbria, Greater Manchester and Lancashire) with the local MFRS leading the event. They undertook a total of four exercises using six appliances running throughout the day. I was there for the morning two exercises, which simulated arrival on site, link up with local fire marshal, site perimeter check and secure, connections to water supplies and entry to building. To add realism, the interior to the buildings were filled with fake smoke - which was good for the exercise, not so good for me taking photographs or the video team ! Also there was a group of students pretending to be residents that needed to be safely evacuated.

Some senior management from the housing association were in attendance, so I made sure we had some group shots with a representative from MFRS, their vehicles and the tower blocks in the background. And of course lots of action images that were shared with the fire service's PR and press team.

Finally, it was interesting to have a chat with a firefighter who was operating a drone. They explained these were becoming essential tools in larger incidents, getting a bird's eye view of a situation. Not all locations have 360 access, so it is important get an alternative view from up high. He said it was a safer way of assessing the situation rather than putting human lives at risk. And that they provided real-time data about evolving, remote or hard-to-reach emergency situations, particularly in high-risk incidents. Fascinating stuff.

Of course I was super impressed by the organisation and professionalism of the fire and rescue service. It really was a privilege to watch their exercises and to see best practice rescue in action. These are the people who will literally save your life!

Fire and rescue exercise in Merseyside photos

Fire and rescue exercise in Liverpool photos

Fire and rescue exercise in Merseyside photos

Fire and rescue exercise tower block example photographs

Fire and rescue entering a building

Fire and rescue exercise action photography in Liverpool

Fire and rescue exercise in Liverpool photograph

Fire and rescue exercise showing smoke out of a building

Fire and rescue exercise view from up high

Fire and rescue exercise and Livv Housing

Fire and rescue exercise image

Group photo at a training exercise

Fire and rescue exercise drone usage in Liverpool

Tags: housing, fire, rescue, training

Author: David J Colbran

Liverpool photographer has some portrait images in the business press trade magazine with a law client from a recent commission

Portraits in the press and social media

I had some portrait images in the business press trade magazine with a law client from a recent commission ....

Liverpool PR Photographer David J Colbran checks some interesting adverts for Aintree Grand National

Aintree Grand National photographer

If you read my posts before you will know my experience with Photography for the Outdoor Advertising Industry. On my travels the other day, I noticed some interesting and eye catching adverts for the forthcoming Grand National.

Liverpool conference photographer David J Colbran blogs about the THE Awards with lots of award photography examples

Times Higher Education Awards photography

Just before Christmas I covered 4 conferences in December. This case study details the Times Higher Education conference and awards evening - a challenging commission - 20 awards in an hour ceremony - boom !

"David is a highly experienced professional in all of his operational areas and I would happily recommend him to any potential client. He has delivered excellent results for me on a number of projects over the years and his style is highly consultative at all times. If you need any more details please let me know."

Ian Mountford, Director at Fit for Social

Recommendations and testimonials from happy clients - image

Let's start a new project together