Fire Service working with partners to keep thousands of spectators safe at Silverstone

Firefighters and fire staff are on scene at Silverstone this week to help keep hundreds of thousands of race fans safe at the Formula One Grand Prix.

More than 565,000 visitors are expected over the course of the four-day event, which started yesterday (July 2) and culminates with race day on Sunday, when more than 175,000 people will be on site.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service has been working jointly over the last few months with Northamptonshire Police, through the Joint Operations Team, to make sure any potential risks have been identified – and that agreed plans are in place to help with any response at what is the UK’s largest sporting event.

The dedicated Command Team is on site all week, based in the Joint Command Unit vehicle and Event Control in the emergency services village at the circuit.

In addition, the Fire Protection Team has been working with Silverstone in recent months to ensure that temporary hospitality venues and the on-site concert arenas are meeting the highest safety standards.

The Protection Team are also carrying out daily checks at the many campsites in and around the track – where more than 60,000 people are camping – offering fire safety literature on how to stay safe from fire risks, and ensuring that safety regulations are met on site and in nearby accommodation.

Nick Gayton, a strategic commander for Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue (pictured below), said: “The Silverstone Grand Prix is one of the most iconic sporting events in the world, and that means that we have hundreds of thousands of people coming to Northamptonshire to enjoy it.

“We’ve had some hot weather recently, which means conditions out there are quite dry and fires are more likely to start and spread. Our Protection Team are working closely with the campsite operators to ensure tents are properly spaced apart and there are sufficient safety points.

“We want every single person to enjoy the event as safely as possible, which is why we work with our partners for months beforehand to ensure we are prepared and able to respond efficiently – both at the circuit and the nearby campsites.”