Crews from three Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire stations take part in large-scale exercise

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews carried out a large-scale water rescue training exercise at Llys-y-frân Lake on Monday (Jan 19).

The lake, set in the foothills of the Preseli Mountains and covering more than 200 acres, was used for a scenario designed to test swift water rescue skills in challenging conditions.

Specialist teams from Carmarthen, Haverfordwest and Milford Haven Fire Stations took part, each attending with swift water rescue capability.

The exercise simulated a serious incident involving a collision between two boats, with multiple casualties spread across the lake and along the shoreline.

To make the scenario as realistic as possible, mannequins of different sizes and weights were positioned at various points around the site, including floating on the surface, submerged, and placed along the water’s edge.

Boat crews carried out searches on the water and recovered casualties, while wading teams were deployed to areas that could not be reached by boat, including sections of shoreline and shallow water.

Throughout the session, firefighters practised coordinated search techniques, casualty handling and communication between crews and the Incident Commander.

The training ran from the afternoon into the evening, allowing both wholetime and on-call firefighters to take part and put their skills into practice.

The fire service is currently recruiting on-call firefighters, and says the role offers training, teamwork, leadership and problem-solving opportunities, with pay including retainer fees and call-out payments.

Police appeal for witnesses and dashcam after fatal A487 crash near Cardigan

THE FAMILY of a 22-year-old man who died in a road traffic collision on the A487 near Cardigan have paid tribute to him, describing him as “bright, happy, hilarious, adventurous, ambitious, kind and a gentle giant”.

Alfie Copeland died following the collision on the A487 northbound, close to the junction with Caemorgan Road, at around 1.05pm on Saturday (Jan 17).

In a statement released through Dyfed-Powys Police, his family said Alfie “had a bright future and so many plans”.

They added: “We will never stop missing him, always in our hearts.”

Officers investigating the circumstances of the collision are continuing to appeal for anyone who may have witnessed what happened to come forward.

Police are particularly keen to hear from drivers who were in the area at the time and may have dashcam footage which could support the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, email [email protected], or call 101, quoting reference DP-20260117-139.

Photo caption: Much-loved: Alfie Copeland has been described by his family as “kind and a gentle giant” (Pic: family).

Vulnerable households ‘should not have to cut back on washing or flushing the toilet’ to keep bills down, Rhian Bowen-Davies says

THE OLDER PEOPLE’S Commissioner for Wales has hit out at the UK Government after ministers declined to take forward a recommendation to introduce a national “social tariff” for water bills.

Rhian Bowen-Davies said she was “very disappointed” by the decision, which followed proposals from the Independent Water Commission. Campaigners have argued that a social tariff would bring consistent, meaningful support for people on low incomes, rather than the current patchwork of discounts that can vary between areas and companies.

In a statement, Ms Bowen-Davies warned that many households are already rationing basic water use in an effort to keep bills down.

“People on low incomes, including many older people, are already being forced to cut back on washing, laundry and even flushing the toilet to try to keep bills down,” she said.

She described that situation as “simply not acceptable”, arguing that people should not have to restrict water use “just to make ends meet”. She said doing so can increase the risk of illness and infection and can also lead to “stress, stigma, and social isolation”.

Ms Bowen-Davies said a national social tariff would provide “much needed, meaningful and consistent support” and help tackle what she described as a growing problem of water poverty.

She also warned that the issue is expected to worsen over the coming years, with projections suggesting it could affect around a million older households across the UK by 2029.

The Commissioner urged the UK Government to rethink its stance and work with the water industry and other stakeholders to ensure that customers who are struggling financially can access the support they need.