On Wednesday, June 3rd, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) crews from Narberth and Whitland held a training exercise at Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo.
Exercise Folly saw crews respond to a simulated fire within a workshop on site, with reports of a person trapped inside. The Breathing Apparatus exercise provided a valuable opportunity for firefighters to operate in a realistic environment, testing both their technical skills and decision-making under pressure. Dyfed-Powys Police and staff from Folly Farm also took part, reinforcing the importance of effective multi-agency collaboration.
Training exercises like this are essential in ensuring crews are fully prepared to respond to real emergencies, where every second counts. By recreating complex and high-risk scenarios in a controlled setting, Firefighters are able to practise critical procedures, develop confidence and learn from experience without the consequences of a live incident.
Exercise Folly also takes on added significance in 2026, as MAWWFRS celebrates 30 years of service. Since its formation in 1996, the Service has grown into one of the UK’s largest fire and rescue organisations, protecting communities across a diverse landscape of rural villages, coastal towns and urban areas.
This provides an opportunity to reflect on three decades of dedication, courage and public service, while recognising the Firefighters, control staff, support teams and volunteers who have helped shape the organisation’s journey and kept communities safe.
Looking ahead, exercises such as Exercise Folly play a vital role in developing future Firefighters, providing opportunities for learning, mentorship and hands-on experience in realistic scenarios.
Firstly, I would like to thank the staff and management team at Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo for allowing us to utilise their facilities as part of this joint exercise. Training exercises like this are absolutely vital to the work we do. They give our crews the chance to practise in realistic, high-pressure scenarios and ensure they are fully prepared to respond when real emergencies happen. Working alongside our partner agencies also strengthens the coordinated approach that is so important at incidents. Ultimately, this training helps us provide the best possible service to the communities we serve.
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