Emergency crews worked to retrieve multiple lifelike rescue dummies and metal drums from the water at Langford Quarry, as Tarmac and the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service completed their latest collaborative rescue exercise.
The scenario was part of a planned multi-agency training exercise and was managed in a controlled setting, with no risk to the public.
The exercise, which took place on the morning of Wednesday, 4 February, involved rescuing intruders who found themselves in difficulty after attempting to dump an unidentified substance into the quarry’s lake.
Following an alert from Tarmac workers on site, a multi-agency response was mobilised, including a fire appliance and specialist rescue unit from Newark Fire Station, firefighters from Collingham Fire Station, water rescue specialists from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service, and a Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) from East Midlands Ambulance Service.
The teams worked quickly to locate the intruders, using boats to reach and rescue those caught in the lake. The substance purported to be in the barrels was also assessed, with teams practising decontamination procedures.
This is the latest in a series of dramatic scenarios that have taken place at Langford Quarry, organised by the Tarmac team and crews from Newark Fire Station. Both Tarmac and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service used the opportunity to learn lessons and sharpen their skills in reacting to emergency situations. Late last year, a dummy was successfully rescued from under the cab of a loading shovel after the “driver” suffered a heart attack.
Planning has already commenced for future sessions, with the valuable partnership set to continue throughout 2026 to refine the emergency response of the quarry operator and local rescue services.
Kevin Mawby, Unit Manager at Langford Quarry, said:
“As a business, health and safety remain our number one priority. Holding mock rescue exercises at our quarry is an essential part of how we put the health and wellbeing of our people first, whilst at the same time offering critical training support to our hard-working local emergency services.
“These sessions provide invaluable hands-on experience where we can practise our response to rescue scenarios alongside the emergency services, demonstrating our commitment to building a zero-harm culture based on continuous improvement and an ever-safer working environment.”
Helen Jackman, Crew Manager from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue, added:
“Regular, realistic and specialised exercises for water rescue are critical to reducing accidental drownings and ensuring the safety of both the public and firefighters. As inland water incidents frequently result in casualties, training exercises in challenging environments are essential for practising our water rescue capabilities and mitigating risks associated with cold-water shock and unpredictable environments. These exercises are also vital for testing joint operating procedures, ensuring that different agencies and fire and rescue services from different regions work together effectively.
We would like to thank Tarmac, specifically Langford Sand and Gravel Quarry, for facilitating this training, and we are glad the exercise provides an opportunity for site staff to test their protocols, procedures and first aid provisions.”
