Date: 21st April, 2026
On Tuesday 28 April 2026, wholetime and on-call crews from Salisbury Fire Station and Wilton Fire Station are due to take part in a multi-agency cross-border exercise at Salisbury Cathedral.
Alongside the Technical Rope Rescue Team from Eastleigh Fire Station and an Aerial Ladder Platform from St Mary’s (Hampshire & Isle of Wight FRS), crews will simulate a Rescue from Height.
Organised by Firefighter Sam Edwards, the exercise will test both Dorset & Wiltshire FRS’s and Hampshire & Isle of Wight FRS’s response to this type of incident by rescuing volunteer casualties from within the top of the 123-metre spire.
Firefighter Sam Edwards said: ‘A big thanks to Salisbury Cathedral for allowing us to undertake this important training for all teams. This is the first cross-border exercise at the cathedral, and we hope that by working together with other services and agencies, we can share our knowledge to enhance future training. By being able to use this type of space, it provides us with a challenging environment to practice the crews’ techniques and skills, not only as a station or service, but as a partnership.”
Scenario-based training is important for fire services because it prepares firefighters to make fast, effective decisions in realistic, high-pressure emergency situations.
Additionally, South Central Ambulance Service’s Hazardous Area Response Team from Eastleigh will be attending to train and help create a realistic scenario.
Any media interested in attending the exercise, please contact [email protected].