FIREFIGHTERS are now able to carry out vital training at a new site in Rochford, where they can practice their rescue skills.

Essex Fire and Rescue Service has signed a deal with car breaker NSEC to use the company’s site on the Purdeys Industrial Estate when firefighters need to work on the skills they need to deal with road crashes.

The company is making old cars available to set up crash scenes at the site, so firefighters can leave how to lift and cut wrecked motors and free people trapped inside.

Rayleigh Weir fire station based crews were the first to try out the new set-up.

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Their station officer, Marc Diggory, said: “This is, without a doubt, the best road traffic collision training venue we have ever used.

“NSEC has removed pollutants from all the vehicles and can set them up in whatever scenario we ask before crews arrive.

“They even have rescue dummies which they position in the vehicles, so everything is ready when we get there.

“Our first training session went really well and we are looking forward to using this facility in the coming months.”