We are continuing our work to strengthen resilience and keep our customers safe by working closely with Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) through joint training and live emergency exercises.
Last week, we took part in a real-life training exercise with TWFRS at Hedworth Court, one of our 25 high-rise buildings.
The exercise showed how a major incident could affect a high-rise building and how we would work together with emergency services to manage the situation.
Leon Stephenson, Head of Fire and Building Safety at Gentoo, said:
“The safety of our customers is our top priority. These training exercises and engagement sessions help us strengthen our response capabilities and build strong partnerships with emergency services, ensuring we are prepared for any scenario.
“Working with Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service is essential in making sure our customers feel safe in their homes. This exercise gave us the chance to test and improve our incident response plans in a realistic, controlled environment.”
Kevin Crutwell, Watch Manager at TWFRS, said:
“Working with Gentoo on these exercises helps us share best practice and improve readiness for complex situations. It’s all about continuous improvement and proactive risk management for the communities we serve.”
We previously ran a similar exercise with TWFRS at River Quarter, Sunderland, in 2024. Since then, further training and engagement sessions have been introduced to continue improving preparedness and leadership during emergency situations.
This ongoing collaboration includes dedicated sessions for our major incident team to learn more about the fire service’s expectations during a major incident.
Our senior leaders also heard from Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine, who shared her experience responding to the summer 2024 riots. She highlighted the importance of strong strategic leadership, anticipating challenges and guiding teams through periods of change.
For more information about fire and building safety at Gentoo, click here
