FIREFIGHTERS battled ‘rapids’ in the Fleet when they teamed up with soldiers in Weymouth to undertake flood-disaster training.

Two teams of specially trained technical rescue firefighters from Weymouth and Poole fire stations took part in the first combined emergency planning session of its kind for Dorset.

The practical session saw blue watch firefighters test out Ministry of Defence (MoD) vessels at the Wyke Regis Training Area to prepare for the event of major floods hitting the county on the scale of those that hit Cumbria last November.

The teams rowed across the Fleet in Mark 6 assault boats to rescue plastic drums ‘casualties’, while the soldiers used a twin-jet combat support boat to race around and create simulated waves.

Warrant officer Anthony Cowburn, who is based at the bridging camp, showed the firefighters the vessels that could provide essential help in the event of an emergency.

He said: “We’re always looking at how we can assist and help the local community and services.

“An event like this is the ideal opportunity to show Weymouth, Portland and the country how the services can work together to fulfil the key aim of making Dorset safer for everyone.

“The firefighters have come down here to do their own specific training.

“It’s the first time we’ve worked hand in hand, collectively trying to achieve something that’s in an embryonic stage at the moment.”

Weymouth fire station manager Phil Head said: “We’re working in partnership with the MoD and other emergency services to co-ordinate the best approach for large-scale flooding.

“We’re also in contact with the RNLI, the Coastguard and the police swift water teams – an awful lot of effort has been involved in getting together and forming a common operating procedure.

“The plan is coming together and it’s very much breaking new ground.”

He added: “Under the Civil Contingencies Act, we have to be prepared in the unfortunate event something should occur so we can serve the public better.

“It’s common sense and more cash efficient to use the skills and equipment of the other services.

“This camp is part of a national supply network for boats to such events and we’re lucky enough to have it on our doorstep.”

Mr Head said the Fleet was the ‘perfect training venue’ because its tidal flow could be ‘quite severe’ and on flat water days the MoD can simulate waves.

The session comes ahead of firefighters at Bridport, north Dorset and at Christchurch being trained up to form a new ‘wading team’ by January 1 next year, to deal with flooding events in those areas of the county.