Dozens of Dorset police, fire and ambulance officers took part in an emergency training exercise at The Tank Museum in Bovington to test their response to a chemical incident.
The scenario saw a forklift truck collide with a chemical tanker carrying chlorine, leading to a simulated leak and several mock casualties, including people who had wandered from the scene and needed to be found and treated.
The scenario involved a chlorine spill after a collision between a chemical tanker and a forklift truck
Special effects by The Twins FX
Graphic scenes were supplied by Wareham fire officer Paul Brown, whose special effects company The Twins FX is amongst the best in the country for creating realistic illusions.
The exercise, held on Thursday, 23rd October 2025, involved Dorset Police, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, and Dorset Search and Rescue, with support from Bournemouth University student paramedics.
Its aim was to strengthen cooperation and communication between emergency services and ensure first responders are well prepared for real life incidents.
Organisers stressed there was no risk to the public, and the museum remained open as normal throughout.
‘Victims’ of the chemical spill were led to safety and treated by ambulance crews and paramedics
“Key decisions to protect the public”
Sergeant Matt Weldon, of Dorset Police, said:
“Exercises like this are vital for testing how we respond under pressure and making sure we’re ready for real emergencies.
“All the emergency services worked well together, making key decisions to support casualties and protect the public.
“I’d like to thank everyone involved, including around 10 volunteers who acted as casualties and witnesses, and Paul Brown from The Twins FX for helping make the scenario as realistic as possible.
“We’d also like to extend our thanks to the Tank Museum for allowing us to use their site and to any members of the public who may have seen increased activity in the area.”
Members of Dorset’s emergency services took part in the training exercise at the Tank Museum
“Allows us to test plans and procedures”
Station Manager James Plumley, from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, said:
“We were really pleased to be working with our partners and the local community during this exercise.
“Training events like this allow us all to test our plans and procedures, whilst assessing the skills of our staff, ensuring we learn any lessons before any real incidents happen.”
Road blocks were set up around the perimeter of the incident
Great opportunity to build teamwork
And Rosanna Dean, head of visitor experience at the Tank Museum, added:
“We were delighted to support the local community and host this important exercise. It took place in a non public area, so we were able to keep the Museum open for visitors as usual.”
The event was described as a success by organisers, who said it provided a great opportunity to build teamwork and preparedness across Dorset’s emergency services.
The full scale training incident was attended by fire, police, ambulance and search and rescue officers
Volunteers played the roles of victims caught up in the chemical spill exercise
All crews together at the end of a successful exercise
