Why Are There Fire Engines In Knottingley At The River Aire Today?

If you happen to be around Knottingley this afternoon and spot a flurry of activity, with fire engines and firefighters gathering near the water, there's no need to worry. It's not a real emergency. What you're seeing is actually the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service carrying out a very important, planned training exercise. It's all happening on Monday, 22nd September 2025, and it's a chance for the brave crews to sharpen their skills to keep everyone safe.

A bit of a stir on the River Aire

So, what's the plan? Between 2pm and 4pm today, the section of the River Aire stretching from Aire Street down to Marsh Lane will be the scene of a special training drill. The West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has let local residents know to expect an increase in commotion. This means you'll likely see more fire engines and other fire appliances in the area than you normally would. 'Fire appliances' is just the official term for all the specialist vehicles and equipment they use, from the big red fire engines themselves to rescue boats and other gear.

So, if you see firefighters and their vehicles around Knottingley, they are simply taking part in this vital training. It's a bit like a dress rehearsal for the real thing, making sure everything runs perfectly when it counts. The presence of the fire service is a positive sign of their commitment to readiness.

What happens at a water rescue training exercise?

It's easy to wonder what goes on during one of these drills. It's much more than just a day out of the station. This kind of ongoing training is a serious business that prepares firefighters for some of the most challenging situations they might face. For this particular training exercise, the focus is on water rescue. The crews will be using training dummies in the river to simulate rescues. Think of these training dummies as life-sized, weighted mannequins that stand in for real people.

Using them allows the teams to practice difficult manoeuvres and recovery techniques in a controlled way, without putting anyone at risk. This special training drill is designed to test every aspect of a rescue operation. The firefighters have to know how to handle strong currents in the water, operate specialist equipment under pressure, and work together as a seamless team. The River Aire provides a realistic environment for this training, with its own unique challenges. This hands-on practice is how the crews learn to respond quickly and effectively.

Every scenario, from locating the dummy in the water to getting it safely back to the riverbank, is part of this crucial ongoing training. It's this dedication to training that ensures the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is always prepared.

It's all about being ready to respond

At the end of the day, the goal of this entire operation in Knottingley is simple: to be ready. Every training exercise, every drill, and every practice session is about making sure the crews can respond instantly and efficiently when a real emergency happens. Whether it's a fire or a water-related incident, their ability to act fast can make all the difference.

The West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service even posted a message on social media to reassure everyone. They said, "Please don't be alarmed - this (exercise) is part of our ongoing training to make sure our crews are always prepared to respond and keep West Yorkshire safe". This statement really gets to the heart of why they're out on the River Aire today. It's a constant effort to maintain the highest standards of safety and preparedness.

The skills honed during this special training drill, from using the fire appliances to performing techniques to simulate rescues, directly translate into real-world capabilities. So, while it might look like a lot of action down by the water between Aire Street and Marsh Lane, it's all part of the promise the firefighters make to the community. This training helps ensure that the local residents of Knottingley and the wider West Yorkshire area are kept safe by crews who are always ready to respond.