Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service Take Part In Major Water Rescue And Hazardous Materials Exercise At Langford Quarry

Firefighters from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service have taken part in a large‑scale training exercise at Langford Quarry, working alongside partner agencies to simulate the rescue of multiple casualties and the recovery of hazardous materials from open water.

The exercise – planned and delivered jointly with Tarmac – was designed to test emergency response procedures in a controlled environment, ensuring all activity was safe for staff and the public.

On Wednesday 4 February, crews were deployed to a scenario in which unauthorised individuals had entered the quarry and got into difficulty after attempting to dispose of an unknown substance in the water. Upon receiving the alert from on‑site personnel, a multi‑agency response was immediately activated.

Firefighters from Newark and Collingham Fire Stations attended, supported by Newark’s specialist rescue unit. Water rescue technicians from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service also took part, alongside the East Midlands Ambulance Service Hazardous Area Response Team (HART).

Using boats and water rescue equipment, crews located and retrieved life-like casualty dummies from the lake while hazardous materials teams assessed drums containing a simulated substance. Decontamination procedures were also practised as part of the scenario.

The joint exercise is one of several held at Langford Quarry in recent years, forming part of an ongoing partnership aimed at strengthening emergency preparedness across all agencies. Previous scenarios have included rescuing a quarry worker from beneath heavy machinery and responding to simulated medical emergencies within the site.

Planning is already underway for further exercises throughout 2026 as the partnership continues to focus on enhancing real‑world rescue capability.

Helen Jackman, Crew Manager at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, said:

Regular, realistic training is essential for maintaining the specialist skills needed for water rescue incidents. Quarry environments present unique challenges, and these scenarios give firefighters the opportunity to practise operating safely in unpredictable conditions.

“They are also crucial for ensuring that all agencies—both within and outside the county—can work together seamlessly during complex incidents.

Kevin Mawby, Unit Manager at Langford Quarry, added:“Safety is our highest priority. Exercises like this give both our teams and the emergency services hands‑on experience in dealing with high‑risk situations. The partnership helps us continually strengthen our safety culture and refine how we respond to potential emergencies on site.”