FIREFIGHTERS from stations across Bolton were faced with a casualty trapped under a chemical container during a training exercise at Lostock Water Treatment Works.

The exercise, which involved around 25 firefighters, took place on Friday, January 17.

It was held to test Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Services' (GMFRS) procedures such as incident command, decontamination, interagency response and breathing apparatus in a realistic environment and allow firefighters to become familiar with the site in case of a real emergency.

The site is a fully automated 180 mega litres per day water treatment plant that treats water traveling from the Thirlmere Reservoir in the Lake District before it enters the Manchester Ring Main.

Firefighter Jason Martin, from Horwich Fire Station, said: "The site poses many potential risks to firefighters due to the amounts and types of chemicals used and the volume and demand of the water it supplies is of great importance.

"So having some familiarity of the layout and liaising with United Utilities was a huge benefit to everyone."

Crews arrived at the scene at around 10.15am where they were faced with the scenario that a 1,000kg liquid chlorine container had ruptured.

The container had fallen from a height while materials were being moved around a loading bay and the contents of the container were leaking, giving off toxic fumes.

The area had been evacuated but a person was trapped underneath the container and crews had to work quickly and safely to detect the substance in order to protect the public and free the casualty. 

Substances used at the Lostock site include pH correction, flocculation, single stage high output rapid gravity filters (RGF), chlorine gas disinfection and orthophosphoric acid dosing.

As the exercise got underway, a specialist GMFRS Hazard Materials Officer attended and liaised with the officer in charge of the incident as well as on-site staff from United Utilities.

The officer gave advice on how to safely deal with a chlorine leak and this involved firefighters in gas tight chemical suits entering the area and isolating the spill.

The firefighters ensured the leaking gas and fumes were dispersed safely while another team of firefighters rescued the trapped casualty using heavy lifting equipment to raise the container off the ground.

The GMFRS decontamination unit was used and a full decontamination area was set up.

North West Ambulance Service's HART (Hazardous Area Response Team) were unable to attend as they had to respond to a real incident but usually they would attend an incident of this nature.

Jason added: "The training was a great success with lots of learning opportunities for the crews that took part."