FIREFIGHTERS paid tribute to one of Basingstoke’s biggest employers for supporting their training.

Sainsbury’s depot, in Pelton Road, Houndmills, has been supplying HGV lorries to Basingstoke fire station for the past ten years.

Crews at the base get to train on a lorry once a month, practising procedures for when they are called to remove casualties from the wreckage of large vehicles.

Basingstoke is one of three fire stations in Hampshire to have a response support vehicle, which carries equipment for extrications from larger vehicles.

Ian Wadmore, station manager, presented an engraved plaque to Darren Staniland, Sainsbury’s transport manager.

Mr Wadmore said that the award was not given lightly, and thanked Sainsbury’s for its “long-standing, considerable and unwavering support” of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.

He added: “Fortunately extrications from large goods vehicles are not too common but when required they are generally some of the most taxing and difficult for us to deal with.

“So this knowledge and understanding of HGVs is invaluable to our firefighters, which in turn allows us to achieve best practice, especially in relation to the extrication of drivers of HGVs. This ultimately saves the lives of the persons who have been caught up in an accident and need our help.”

Mr Staniland said: “Sainsbury’s are honoured to receive this award in recognition of our ongoing support to the fire and rescue service here in Basingstoke.

“We at Sainsbury’s are committed to making a positive difference to our community by assisting with this.”