The Hutt Valley Fire Police (HVFP) unit was invited to partake in and assist with a rural fire exercise in the Trentham area. The exercise was planned and controlled by Silverstream Fire Brigade and supported by Upper Hutt Rural Fire Force and the HVFP unit.

The purpose of the exercise was to put into practise the following skills:

• Forestry hose handling and running
  
• Securing water supplies
  
• Securing scene(s) safety
  
• Setting up of required CIMS structures
  
• Coordination of/between the 3 separate groups
  

The scenario was that multiple calls have been received to a scrub fire on the hill at the Pinehill Crescent/Freyberg Road intersection.

On arrival SILV471 found two separate fires on the upper slopes and requested the response of the Upper Hutt Rural Fire Force and HVFP unit.

Upper Hutt Rural Fire Force responded with UPPE9410, UPPE9471, UPPE9472, UPPE9473 and UPPE9480.

The HVFP unit responded with RIMU4926 and RIMU4928 and put in place two road closures plus a third a traffic control point to ensure the safe passage of both fire and private vehicles along one of the flanks of the fire.

The Exercise was a great opportunity for the three units to work together in the build up to the summer season.

The HVFP thank Silverstream Fire Brigade for the invitation to participate in their exercise.

Article by SSO David Ackroyd