Upgraded attack rig to help improve firefighter training for real life incidents

An upgraded training rig that helps firefighters hone their skills to deal with real life fires and protect the public has been purchased by Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The new container – known as an ‘attack rig’ – was put in place recently at the training centre in Chelveston, replacing the attack rig that was installed when the Fire Service first moved to the site in the early 2010s.

The container complements the ‘demo rig’, both of which are used in firefighter training for new recruits, and for serving firefighters to refresh their skills.

Jason Lister, training projects manager for Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The demo rig allows students to observe firefighter conditions and fire development in temperatures of up to 800 degrees Celsius. Once they have observed those conditions, they will then move on to the attack rig to practice their new skills.

“The attack rig we had in place was old and near the end of its lifespan. It was important to get a new attack rig in place so that we can continue to provide a realistic training experience for our firefighters.

“That is fundamental in terms of helping to keep themselves and their colleagues safe at incidents, and for them to be suitably prepared when they are required to protect both property and the public.”