Minister opens new search and rescue training centre

West Yorkshire's Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) facility has been developed at the county's fire HQ in Birkenshaw, Bradford, with 2.3m of Government money.

The rescue equipment and training is part of a national investment in fire and rescue services which began after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the twin towers in New York.

The complex will be used to train fire and rescue personnel from across Yorkshire and the Humber region.

They are trained to deal with rescues from road, rail and air accidents, building collapses, rescues at height and trench collapses and are on call for regional and national emergencies.

The complex includes a water sump for rescues from partially submerged vehicles and a CCTV system to allow the teams to play back footage to assess their performance.

West Yorkshire chief fire officer Simon Pilling said: "Our Urban Search and Rescue capability has gone from strength to strength in recent months, with the introduction of a search and rescue dog, also funded with central government support, and the opening of this splendid training facility."

Fire Services Minister Shahid Malik, who opened the facility yesterday, said: "Thanks to wonderful facilities like this West Yorkshire fire personnel will continue to be among the best equipped and best trained in the world...without doubt the work done at this complex will save lives."