TARMAC and Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service recently staged a multi-agency exercise at Langford Quarry, retrieving life-like rescue dummies and metal drums from the lake. The controlled exercise took place on the morning of 4 February and simulated a scenario in which ‘intruders’ faced difficulty after attempting to dump an unidentified substance into the quarry lake.

Following an alert from site staff, a coordinated response involved Newark and Collingham fire stations, Lincolnshire Water Rescue specialists, and East Midlands Ambulance Service’s Hazardous Area Response Team (HART). The drill enabled all agencies to practice rescue techniques and coordination in a safe, controlled environment.

The exercise is the latest in a series of scenarios at Langford Quarry organized by Tarmac and Newark Fire Station, providing opportunities to sharpen emergency response skills. A previous drill saw a dummy rescued from beneath a loading shovel after a simulated heart attack. Planning is already underway for further exercises in 2026, continuing the partnership to enhance the quarry operator’s and local rescue services’ emergency preparedness.

Kevin Mawby, unit manager at Langford Quarry, said: ‘As a business, health and safety remains our number one priority. Holding mock rescue exercises at our quarry is an essential part of how we put the health and well-being of our people first, whilst at the same time offering critical training support to our hard-working local emergency services.

‘These sessions provide invaluable hands-on experience where we can practice our response to rescue scenarios alongside the emergency services, demonstrating our commitment to building a zero-harm culture based on continuous improvement and an ever-safer working environment.’

Helen Jackman, crew manager from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue, added: ‘Regular, realistic, and specialised exercises for water rescue are critical to reducing accidental drownings and ensuring the safety of both the public and firefighters.

‘As inland water incidents frequently result in casualties, training exercises in challenging environments are essential for practicing our water rescue capabilities and mitigating risks associated with cold-water shock and unpredictable environments. These exercises are also vital for testing joint operating procedures, ensuring that different agencies and fire and rescue services from different regions work together effectively.’

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