More than 100 firefighters from Kent Fire and Rescue Service, using around 20 fire appliances, have taken part in an exercise on a ‘fire’ at Canterbury Cathedral to test out new high volume pumping equipment.
The exercise was designed to test their response to a major incident at the cathedral, which is a World Heritage Site in the centre of Canterbury. The cathedral was chosen because of the large size and height of the building, which also houses valuable artefacts and books.
The new pumping equipment means that in very large fires, appliances will not have to travel back and forth from a water source. It has one kilometre of hose attached that can be laid down as the vehicle drives along, and can pump 8000 litres of water a minute. A further two kilometres of hose reel is also available, if needed, on an attached support vehicle.
Speaking before the exercise, Jim Morley, the cathedral’s security and safety manager, said: “I am delighted that the cathedral’s staff are assisting Kent Fire and Rescue in this exercise. We hope that this practice will never have to be used during a real fire in the cathedral, but the fires at York Minster and Windsor Castle have shown that constant vigilance and training is needed when caring for ancient buildings.”
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