Fire Crews Undertake Animal Rescue Training at Kirkley Hall

Firefighters have taken part in two days of specialist training in large-animal and livestock rescue at Kirkley Hall, near Ponteland.

Crews from Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service created a range of realistic scenarios to develop safe, welfare-based handling techniques, working with animals from the teaching zoo and farm at the Northumberland College campus, alongside a life-sized articulated horse model provided by colleagues in the Tyne and Wear brigade.

Situations recreated included rescuing horses and livestock from ditches and responding safely to incidents involving large animals — highlighting the importance of specialist skills and equipment when dealing with big, unpredictable animals in stressful situations.

Now in its third year, the programme is run in partnership with veterinary experts and animal-welfare organisations. Trainers said Kirkley Hall's facilities and real animals made it an ideal base for crews to build confidence and hone trust in rescue techniques.

Kirkley Hall's zoo and gardens are also a popular family day out — see our days out around Ponteland guide.