News

We’re pleased to be working in partnership with Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service by giving crews access to some of our vacant homes that are currently going through their planned void period. Before a new tenant moves in, each property is assessed and any essential repairs or improvements are carried out and during this time, where it’s safe and appropriate, we’re able to make the space available for practical training.

These real-life settings offer an invaluable opportunity for firefighters to train in environments that closely mirror the homes they may need to respond to in an emergency.

Recently, one was used for a blindfolded search and rescue exercise. This type of drill is designed to recreate the intense, disorienting conditions of a house fire, where visibility is low and quick decisions can make all the difference. With full safety procedures in place, the crew practised moving through the home, checking each room, and communicating clearly as they worked.

In this scenario, the “missing person”, represented by a training dummy, was hidden in the bath. Although simple, this location offered a realistic challenge, encouraging firefighters to consider where someone might seek safety or become trapped during a real incident.

Andrew Rysdale, our Assistant Director of Property said, “We are proud to be partnering with Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service, it is a fantastic way to support the vital work they do for our community. By making some of our vacant homes available for training, we’re helping crews prepare for real-life emergencies in realistic settings. It’s a practical collaboration that benefits everyone and reinforces our commitment to community safety.” 

Exercises like these are an important part of maintaining operational readiness, helping firefighters strengthen teamwork, problem-solving skills and resilience under pressure. By offering our empty homes, we’re helping ensure crews can continue this essential preparation without needing to rely solely on purpose-built training buildings.

Watch Commander Jamie Ewers at Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service added, "Fairhive’s support in providing access to their vacant properties has been invaluable to our Breathing Apparatus training.  Our Firefighters have been able to train and develop vital skills in realistic environments which will enhance their safety and effectiveness at emergency incidents.   We’re extremely grateful for this collaboration and the positive impact it has on our crews and ultimately the communities we serve.”

At Fairhive, we’re proud to support our local emergency services. Collaborations like this not only make good use of our homes while they await new tenants but also contribute to the wider safety of the communities we serve. We look forward to continuing our work with Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service and supporting more training opportunities in the future.