Firefighters from across the district held a cliff rescue exercise at Shipley Glen yesterday to highlight the scope of their services.

Around 30 personnel were involved in the drill including crews from Shipley, Idle, Bingley and Rawdon stations, as well as an ambulance heart team.

Alan Holdsworth, watch commander at Shipley station, who was among the team which organised the exercise, said: “The idea behind the drill is to highlight to the public that we don’t just put fires out, we are a rescue service.

“We are involved in cliff rescues, extracting people out of road traffic accidents and water rescues, flood issues and dealing with hazardous materials.”

Throughout the morning exercise, two firefighters acted the part of life casualties. They use realistic make-up and wounds to try to make it as realistic as possible and the rescue procedure was carried out.

The Shipley Glen was chosen as the location for the exercise as it is a popular spot for dog walkers and also the cliff is a sheer 25ft drop.

Mr Holdsworth said: “The scope of our job was highlighted recently as well earlier this year when firefighters rescued a dog which was stuck in a hole for 53 hours on Shipley Glen.

“This again highlights that we are a dedicated rescue service as well as a fire service.

The fire crews are involved in different drills, working with other agencies to train for services they cover, every two or three months.

Another recent training exercise carried out covered breathing appliances.

Mr Holdsworth said: “If someone had come across the exercise we were doing on Shipley Glen, they may have just rang the ambulance, which may take 15 minutes to arrive at the scene.

“The rescue may be further delayed by the ambulance team then calling for our assistance.

“Although the operator should be trained to inform the police, ambulance and fire service if they are all needed, it is important the public know to call us as well.

“We just want to get the message across about what we do as a service.”