A LARGE emergency services presence was seen in Auchinleck this week- but it was for a slightly different reason.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue (SFRS), Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS), Police Scotland and other personnel were all involved in a training event.
The exercise took place within the building and grounds of the former Auchinleck Academy building on Sorn Road on Thursday, March 21.
Locals had been told of the event in advance, to ensure that no panic came from seeing the crews at the building.
Training included crews using the building and the grounds to carry out real-life scenarios in settings they weren't used to.
It gave the emergency service crews the opportunity to test out their response time, as well as taking part in sequences of events that required specialist equipment.
Crews dealt with set-up incidents that would involve using hazmat suits and exercising extreme caution, to prepare for any events of this nature.
Martin Spence, SFRS station commander for East, North and South Ayrshire said: "This stuff is invaluable for us, because it lets out crews train in an environment they're not familiar with.
"We can test their skills and knowledge and preparing them for what they'll face.
"It's all part of what we'd call 'Preparing Scotland' for things that might involve hazmats and stuff like that, so it all comes back to bigger legislation.
"We had detection vehicles in attendance which would allow us to detect unknown substances if the situation requires.
"The support from East Ayrshire Council has been great in allowing us to use the building, it makes it a realistic environment for us to train in it's okay for us to do our own drills, but this is something we'll really benefit from.
"It's important that the emergency services come together and have an understanding of how each other work."
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