Pictured above: Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Service
undertake some real life training whilst Katy Bridgestock,
community housing officer, Orbit Heart of England and Rebecca
Hinchley, marketing co-ordinator, William Davis Ltd look
on
A number of empty properties on the site of a new housing
project at Glebe Road, Stratford-upon-Avon have temporarily been
given over to Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Service for essential
training, prior to demolition by contractor and developer William
Davis Ltd.
Loughborough-based William Davis will shortly commence
construction on a £4.6m regeneration project in partnership
with leading housing association Orbit Heart of England. Ahead of
the demolition equipment arriving on site, fire crews from four
local Warwickshire stations geared up for some real life training,
replicating emergency situations by utilising simulated synthetic
smoke, dummy bodies and breathing apparatus within the vacant
properties.
Mark Stevenson, production director, William Davis Ltd said:
"What a great idea to utilise this site in this way prior to
demolition."
"We have worked closely with Orbit Heart of England to ensure
that this vital training goes ahead and hope that all the fire
crews involved feel that it has been a worthwhile exercise."
This is the initial phase of a five phase scheme, which is due
for completion at the end of 2012. The 57 new homes have been
designed to achieve Code for Sustainable Homes level 4,
incorporating the latest sustainable design features; 'Secured by
Design' standards, which focus on crime prevention and will be
built to meet 'Lifetime Homes' criteria, helping to support the
changing needs of residents.