Firefighters from across the country will be in Oldbury next week as part of a national training exercise.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service is hosting Operation Poseidon to test the force's response to flooding.

Around 80 firefighters and staff will use High Volume Pumps (HVPs) and put local emergency plans into action in three scenarios at Dunball Sluice, Oldbury Power Station and the Cumberland Basin.

The Environment Agency, SARAID and other organisations will also be involved.

Tony Smith, Nailsea fire station Watch Manager and Service lead for HVPs, said: “High Volume Pumps have enhanced the capabilities for fire and rescue services nationally, regionally and locally, mitigating the effects of flooding and fires at incidents across the UK.

“As incidents outside of firefighting continue to rise, this equipment improves the capabilities and safety of personnel, giving us the best resources to help us protect communities across the UK.

“This specialist national exercise will allow us to test the capabilities of the majority of High Volume Pumps from the across the UK to ensure we are ready for any situation that might arise."

Weighing 26 tonnes, each HVP is capable of pumping up to 7,000 litres per minute and can deliver water over a distance of three kilometres.

Recently, crews used 10 high-volume pumps to remove more than a third of Whaley Bridge's reservoir's water following the collapse of part of its spillway following heavy rainfall.

Ian Irving, the National Resilience High Volume Pump Capability Adviser added: “This large scale multi-agency exercise will allow us to test the mobilisation of half of the national fleet to two different locations.

"This is a critical exercise that allows us to test our mobilisation procedures, logistics and pumping capabilities in a range of scenarios. The national exercise will provide assurance to Home Office that the HVP fleet is able to respond at a moment’s notice to whatever large-scale incident or emergency they may be required to”.

Throughout the exercise, Gordano Services will be used as a strategic holding area for all the vehicles, while Brunel Lock Road in Bristol will have parking restrictions and traffic management in place from 7pm on Wednesday, September 18 until 7am on Thursday, September 19.