A LIFE-SIZED dummy horse has been bought by Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service to help firefighters train in animal rescue.

The horse, which stands 15 hands high, has been funded by the Wiltshire branches of the RSPCA, who have contributed a total of £14,000 to support rural safety in the county.

Specialist animal rescue equipment is also being purchased and more than 60 firefighters are currently being trained in animal rescue techniques.

Chief Fire Officer Andy Goves said the RSPCA funding demonstrated the epitome of a partnership working to improve services to the community.

“We carried out a thorough review of our rural safety procedures earlier this year, and it became clear that we needed to make a large-scale investment in more specialist equipment and training,” he said.

“This will ensure that both people and animals are better protected during these difficult and traumatic rescues which affect the animals, their owners and our firefighters, who put themselves at risk to carry out such rescues.

“Wiltshire has such an expanse of rural areas within its boundaries that we saw the need to increase and further develop our specialist knowledge within the service.”

Two members of staff at the service’s headquarters in Devizes will support the specialist crews. They will deliver important messages about community fire safety and will visit farms, hold talks in the rural community and map and identify water sources and other information, such as the presence of gas cylinders, which are extremely dangerous to firefighters when involved in fire.

They will also work directly with firefighters to increase their knowledge and understanding of animal rescue issues.

The Wiltshire Mid branch of the RSPCA contributed £11,000 towards the equipment, with a further £3,000 given in total by the north Wiltshire and south Wiltshire & District branches.

Wiltshire Mid treasurer Andy Sheppard said: “We had a presentation by watch manager Tom Brolan about the work carried out by Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service in helping the rural community, and we were very impressed by their obvious dedication.”