City centre exercise next month

West Sussex firefighters are set to take part in a simulation exercise at Chichester Cathedral next month.

Theexercise,onmonday,may 20,willseesmokebillowingfrom the city centre landmark, as well as the rescue of a young person trapped inside. Throughout the exerciseemergencyserviceswill immersethemselvesinthetrainingscenarioandworktogetherto resolve the mock incident.

The aim is to test the emergency procedures currently in place for incidents involving the landmark.

Station manager for Chichester Fire Station, Anton Mezzone, said: “Crews regularly train and prepare for incidents at fire stations, but being able to practice these skills with our partners in a realistic environment is the best way to test and improve our plans. Following on from the Notre-dame fire in 2019, we looked at similar risks in the county. Since then, we have been learningaboutthechallengesfacedby our French colleagues and have adapted our operational plans; this exercise will reflect the changes that we have been making and allow us to put our new plans into action.

"We would love for people in the community to come along, watch the exercise and say hello. From my knowledge, there hasn’t been an exercise like this within the city for a long time, so it’s a great opportunity to come andseesomethingunique.”from 7pmuntil11pm,therewillbetemporary road closures in place from the Cathedral up to the canal basin. Public transport will be running as normal. Members of the public can watch the exercise; the best viewing points are thought to be the City Cross and the old House of Fraser building. Safety cordons will be in place and must be followed.