Fuel fire training event at Maydown

The aim was to test the Fire Service’s ability to respond to a major incident involving a fire at a bulk fuel storage depot.

Over 100 firefighters and 20 fire appliances, including Specialist Appliances) from across Londonderry District and beyond were involved in responding to the mock up major incident at LSS Fuels, Carrakeel Industrial Park, Maydown, Londonderry.

A real life incident such as this would have a wider impact on the local community and the environment, requiring a multi agency response. As a result, partner agencies including the Health & Safety Executive for Northern Ireland, Derry City Council, the Western Health and Social Care Trust and Northern Ireland Environment Agency participated to test their respective organisational response and procedures to this type of incident.

Trevor Ferguson, Western Area Commander, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service said: “This public safety enhancing exercise was one of the largest training exercises we have ever held in Londonderry District and indeed across Western Area Command.

“Responding to a major incident involving a fuel fire presents additional challenges for us as a fire and rescue service and Firefighter safety is of paramount importance.

“This simulated incident enabled us to test numerous operational policies and procedures as well as our major incident plan. It also allowed us to test inter-operability between partner agencies within the area and has helped enhance our capability in protecting our community.

“For the first time ever in Western Area Command, Skywatch Civil Air Patrol tested the potential of using unmanned drones for aerial reconnaissance during this exercise. This worked extremely well and we are excited about the potential benefits this cutting edge technology could bring to quickly gathering information during large scale incidents.

“We are well prepared and well rehearsed in readiness for these types of incidents, nonetheless this exercise was extremely valuable and there are learning points for all the agencies involved.

“I would like to thank LSS Fuels for their co-operation and assistance during and in preparation for this training exercise. I would also like to thank Invista for the use of their facilities and thanks to all our partner agencies who participated on the day to make the scenario as real life as possible”.