Pictures of firefighters training at historic Malmesbury location

Technical support officers and 20 firefighters from the Wilts and Dorest Fire Brigade and specialised rope units from Stratton took part in a training exercise at St Pauls Bell Tower in Gloucester Street, Malmesbury on Monday evening, March 25.

The group used their strength and teamwork skills to navigate the narrow Grade 1 listed building to complete the exercise. 

St Pauls Bell Tower rescue training session (Image: Richard Harris)

This special casualty training session was organised by firefighter Sam Pyne. 

Richard Harris, from community magazine The Malmesbury Jackdaw, was invited to snap some pictures of the special rescue mission. 

Commenting on the session, Jamie Johnstone from Malmesbury Fire Brigade said: "The bell tower has a very narrow access to its peak, making rescues of anyone inside particularly difficult. 

"During this exercise we used DW tech rope rescue and equipment from Stratton.

St Pauls Bell Tower rescue training session (Image: Richard Harris)

"It was really beneficial to train for this type of incident and it gives residents who use the space confidence that we are able to achieve rescues without any delays.

"The training session was a good chance for some of our new recruits to experience a different scenario and practice casualty care techniques. 

"The most important thing for firefighters to remember when rescuing a casualty is the mechanism of injury (how the injury occurred) and as a result what injury is present plus any health history of the casualty that may of contributed to the incident.

St Pauls Bell Tower rescue training session (Image: Richard Harris)

"New recruits need to be physically fit and enthusiastic to learn new skills both practically and theoretically. 

"They also need to be good at working well in a team environment and have the desire to want to help community from all walks of life."