Hands-on experience of freeing motorists trapped by trees has helped boost St Albans-based firefighters’ confidence in dealing with such crashes.

Herts Advertiser: Firefighters from St Albans practice extricating the occupants of a car, who have been 'trapped' by a fallen treeFirefighters from St Albans practice extricating the occupants of a car, who have been 'trapped' by a fallen tree (Image: Photo supplied)

St Albans Fire Station’s Green Watch recently teamed up with arboriculture specialists Gristwood and Toms to simulate an incident involving a tree falling on a car.

Crew commander Ellis Arnett said the firm, “very kindly offered its services and yard to enable the Fire Service to practice their skills at this unusual and complex type of incident.

“This joint working partnership has proved a success and has enabled crews at St Albans to experience this type of incident for real.”

CC Arnett added: “It is rare that we have the opportunity to practice our technical rescue skills in such a realistic environment.

“We carry an number of specialist tools on our Rescue Support Unit at St Albans and we are always looking for training opportunities. Working with Gristwood and Toms has been great to get hands-on with our chainsaws and rescue equipment.”