News

Road diversions were set up as fire crews practiced their response to a major incident at a fizzy drinks factory in Folkestone during Saturday evening (27 February).

The exercise at the Silver Springs mineral water company site, in Park Farm Road, Folkestone was the scene of a full-scale live emergency.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS), East Sussex Fire and Rescue, Shepway District Council, the Environment Agency, the Highways Agency, Kent Police took part in the exercise designed to test the emergency services’ response to a major fire at an industrial site storing chemicals.

Fire-fighters, used specialist vehicles from East Kent and East Sussex including two High Volume Pumps as they fought the replicated fire in a warehouse.

Exercise Director Russ Jordan said: “Genuine incidents at premises like Silver Springs can throw up extra challenges for fire-fighters.

“This exercise is a good opportunity for all the agencies to practice because we can control the environment enabling us to further develop the skills needed for tackling an incident, so that we are ready when the real thing happens. It will also assist us in formulating future plans to protect our local environments and communities.”

Local traffic diversions were put in place by the Highways Agency.

© Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2010