On Tuesday 19 March 2024 regional Fire and Rescue Services attended Pippingford Park on the Ashdown Forest for a joint wildfires training exercise.
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service organised the event, which was jointly attended by West Sussex, Kent and Surrey Fire and Rescue Services, providing the opportunity to test wildfire response capabilities and collaborative working.
There was no live fire on the day but the incident simulated a rapidly developing fire at the base of a slope on open heathland.
Around 40 firefighters from across the fours services responded to the mock scenario working together with our Joint Fire Control, a multi-service incident command team and local land managers including the Ashdown Forest Rangers. Fire engines and specialist appliances were also utilised including off road vehicles, drone teams and a water carrier.
Services will now work together to develop learning and recommendations and promote key messages to members of the public and landowners ahead of the wildfire season.
Historically, UK wildfires are most closely associated with Spring and this exercise provides the opportunity to relaunch the ESFRS campaign ‘We’re wildfire ready, are you?’ focusing on wildfire safety, prevention, protection and how to respond in the event of an emergency.
Station Manager and ESFRS Wildfire Lead Trevor Funnell said: ‘’This collaborative wildfire training exercise provided an invaluable opportunity for our teams to test our preparedness and resilience. Our crews honed their skills within a realistic simulation demonstrating our commitment to safeguarding communities and strengthening public safety through multi-service working.
Should the worst happen, we want to ensure our teams are ready to respond effectively to wildfires. With hotter and drier summers we urge the public to be wildfire ready, by taking precautions now, checking your homes and businesses for risks in order to keep yourselves and others safe. By working together we can help reduce the risk and the devastating impact unpredictable wildfires can cause.”
Wildfire advice
- Prevention is key: Don’t drop cigarettes or burning materials on dry ground, keep children away from lighters and matches, use designated barbecue areas and dispose of glass bottles and litter properly.
- Protect yourself and your property: Remove flammable materials from your garden, check for spaces where burning embers could become lodged, safely store flammable substances, trim back shrubs or trees near your house.
- Have an Evacuation Plan: Make sure yourselves and others know what to do in the event of a wildfire. Don’t delay – if in doubt, get out, away from vegetation and smoke.
- What to do in the event of a wildfire: Stay calm, follow your evacuation plan, and always call 999 in the event of an emergency.
Further advice from the Services involved in the exercise, and information on how to keep yourselves and your community safe from the risk of wildfires and fires in the open, can be found here:
East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service:
- We’re Wildfire Ready (home safety advice)
- Wildfire advice for rural landowners
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service:
Kent Fire & Rescue Service:
Surrey Fire & Rescue Service:
Other useful information:
- If you have information about illegal fire setting and those responsible, please report them (anonymous) to firestoppersreport.co.uk online or by phone on 0800 169 5558
