THE coastguard and fire services joined forces in an evening of collaborative training.

Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team visited Whitehaven Fire Station to work with Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service made up of teams from both Whitehaven and Workington Fire Stations.

The exercise was aimed at promoting a better understanding of each service's statutory responsibilities and capabilities.

The coastguard demonstrated its procedures for anchoring off fire appliances when natural or urban anchors are not available for rope rescues.

The coastguard, a statutory emergency service and a tasking and coordination authority, can also request mutual aid support from partners.

This means that in addition to working on the coast, the coastguard can be asked to assist other emergency services inland, based on mutual aid requests or Civil Contingencies Act requirements.