A training exercise has taken place at The Tank Museum to test the response of emergency services to a chemical incident.
The exercise took place on Thursday 23 October 2025 involving Dorset Police, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust and Dorset Search and Rescue, as well as support from Bournemouth University student paramedics.
The exercise was carried out to test and enhance the skills of first responders and communication between them, with no risk to the public at any time.
The scenario involved a forklift truck colliding with a chemical tanker carrying chlorine, which resulted in a chemical leak and a number of casualties both at the scene and who had wandered off, becoming missing people with injuries.
Sergeant Matt Weldon, of Dorset Police, said: “These types of exercises are vital in testing the skills and reactions of our officers and staff, ensuring they are able to effectively respond to real-life scenarios.
“All the emergency services managed the incident effectively and made key decisions to support those with injuries and protect the public in this scenario.
“I would like to thank all those who took part, including around 10 volunteers who acted as injured victims and witnesses as well as Paul Brown from The Twins FX for volunteering his support in making the scenario as realistic as possible.
“The Tank Museum remained open throughout the event and we’d like to also like to extend our thanks to them for allowing us to use their site and to the members of the public who may have seen increased activity in the area.”
Rosanna Dean, Head of Visitor Experience & Commercial at The Tank Museum said: “We were delighted to assist emergency services and support the local community by hosting this important training exercise. This was held in a non-public area of our site, so we were able to keep the Museum open as usual for our visitors.”
Station Manager James Plumley, from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & 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 plans and procedures, whilst assessing the skills of our staff, ensuring we learn any lessons before incidents occur.”
Op Steelmist. Picture: Finnbarr Webster/Dorset Police
Op Steelmist. Picture: Finnbarr Webster/Dorset Police
Op Steelmist. Picture: Finnbarr Webster/Dorset Police