River Tawe Water Training Exercise

Crews from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s Gorseinon, Glynneath, and Seven Sisters Fire Stations recently took part in an intensive swimming and wading training exercise designed to sharpen their water rescue capabilities and enhance teamwork under pressure.

Held along a section of the River Tawe and at Loughor, the day-long exercise immersed Firefighters in realistic rescue scenarios, focusing on practical water operations.  Using throw bags and specialist wading equipment, participants practiced swift water rescue techniques to safely retrieve casualties from flowing water.  The use of rescue sleds and roof ladders enabled crews to simulate reach rescues, while stretcher-carrying drills helped refine coordination and casualty handling in unstable environments.

Casualty rescue and care scenarios in areas with confined access challenged Firefighters to think critically and adapt quickly.  The learned how to assess injuries, stabilise casualties and navigate tight or obstructed spaces, skills which are crucial for incidents such as road traffic collisions.

The final session focused on working safely at height, using a seven-meter ladder to simulate rooftop and elevated rescues.  Firefighters practiced secure climbing techniques and establishing anchor points, which reinforced the importance of safety, communication and precision.

This hands-on training exercise not only boosted operational readiness but also reinforced the commitment of crews to protecting their communities.