Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service join forces with Nottingham Express Transit for e-scooter collision simulation

On Friday 31 May, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and Nottingham Express Transit (NET) took part in an e-scooter collision simulation to practise their emergency response for the tram network. 

Exercise Pantograph saw firefighters respond to a simulation of a person trapped underneath a tram, after having fallen off their e-scooter. The simulation saw the e-scooter catch fire, and crews extinguish the fire, while administering initial first aid to the patient, and using air bags to slowly lift the tram from the tracks and free the casualty. Crews from Stockhill, London Road and Highfields Fire Stations attended, as well as EMICS medical volunteers, NET drivers and engineers. 

Sam Mills, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service Watch Manager, said “Exercise Pantograph was a good way to test our collaborative working, so we can be prepared for any scenario. With the increase of e-scooters and e-bikes on our roads, and the large number of pedestrians near our city’s trams, we know that sometimes accidents can happen. 

“Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service works tirelessly to keep our communities safe, and it’s important that we adapt to modern challenges and ensure our work with other organisations is practiced and reviewed regularly. We’d like to thank NET and EMICS for their support with this important exercise.”

Trevor Stocker, Head of Operations at NET, said “Nottingham’s trams are an integral part of the city, and ensuring we have dedicated plans in place for emergency situations is paramount to the overall safety and security of the tram network and all who use it.

“Our city’s emergency services teams work tirelessly each and every day to keep the city safe, so we’re pleased to have been able to do our bit to help support the invaluable work they do. Exercises like this highlight some of the dangers that can occur, and they mean that we can be even more prepared should they do so. However, it’s always worth reminding all tram users to always take care when travelling around the city – especially when riding a bike or e-scooter.”