Choppers on lake exercise now tackle moors blaze
RAF Chinook helicopters used in a mock disaster role play exercise at Hollingworth Lake have been drafted in to help firefighters tackle the Saddleworth Moor fire.
The tandem rotor helicopters are recognisable by their distinct design.
They were been used two years ago in an emergency services training operation, planning for disaster scenarios on the same scale as the huge moorland blaze which spans the border of Oldham to Derbyshire.
It’s understood they will be deployed to lift two ‘high volume pumps’ to strategic points on the moorland by air.
The pumps will then give firefighters access to more water to fight the flames.
No timescale for military involvement has been revealed, although any operation is likely to start from first light today. Nothing will be done in hours of darkness.
Military personnel and vehicles, likely to be offroad 4x4s, could also be drafted in.
They would be used to transport vital fire fighting equipment to areas flames break out.
The extra manpower will be a welcome relief for fire crews working tirelessly on the moors.
Dave Keelan, director of emergency response at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said fire crews were working ‘extremely hard’ in conditions changing ‘by the second’.
He said many were having to walk long distances over difficult terrain carrying equipment.
Mr Keelan said the ability to transport personnel and equipment to remoter areas would be ‘greatly enhanced’ with military support and allow water supplies to reach locations quicker.
He said the military would move ‘as quickly as they can’.
The pumps involved played a central role in an exercise carried out two years ago at Hollingworth Lake – codenamed Exercise Triton II.
The RAF used Chinooks to lift them into place during the role play exercise concerning a mock disaster.
Wing Commander Gary Lane, RAF regional liaison officer for the north west, said the possibility of a Chinook being used to transfer the pumps was just one option being considered.
He said: “It’s early days at the moment but we’re putting the plan together so if we are required we can do that. It’s a big piece of kit, around four-and-ahalf tonnes.
“We bizarrely exercised quite recently about three or four miles away, two years ago, with moving those.
“So our training is there and it will prove fruitful so we can hopefully be able to move those for them and be able to supply water.
“We’re also scoping other activities the military may be able to assist with.”
The day, on July 14, 2016, saw soldiers of 2 Mercian regiment build flood defences at an electricity sub-station in Heyrod, Stockport, and later taken by helicopter to assist in a joint search and rescue exercise at Hollingworth Lake.
The Chinook was used to lift GMFRS high volume water pumping equipment from Mayer’s Quarry in Mossley, Oldham.