Firefighters in Wisbech are being given the opportunity to take part in more realistic training opportunities thanks to a partnership with a local hospital.

Crews from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, used the tunnels under North Cambs Hospital in Wisbech (run by Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust) to practise a multitude of skills in two training exercises this month.

Mandy Cuckow, patient and admin services manager for Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust organised the crews visit.

She said: “We are delighted to be able to support Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service crews and provide them with a realistic training environment. This was a great opportunity and we look forward to further joined up working between our organisations.”

Crew Commander Robert Wabe, from Wisbech, explained the training with North Cambs Hospital enabled firefighters to hone their skills in an unfamiliar setting.

He said: “We focussed on confined space and underground tunnel training when we used the hospital site, which also involved things like laying guidelines and retrieving casualties.

“Having the chance to partner with local businesses and organisations gives us much more opportunity to develop challenging training exercises for crews, to test staff and keep it interesting to ensure we get the best out of one another.”