NEWS-
2025
Alongside its continued work within the fire and rescue sector, Chalke Valley Engineering has also confirmed ongoing planning and development discussions during 2025 relating to a specialist dual-fuel live-fire training rig intended for use within the armed forces sector.
The proposed system is understood to incorporate advanced LPG and liquid-fuel fire simulation technology designed to deliver highly realistic operational training scenarios within demanding military-style environments. Due to project restrictions and operational sensitivities, further technical details cannot currently be disclosed.
However, the development further demonstrates Chalke Valley Engineering’s continued growth within the specialist fire and rescue training industry and its expanding capability in the design and manufacture of advanced live-fire training systems for high-performance operational applications.
The project reinforces the company’s reputation for delivering robust, innovative, and professionally engineered training infrastructure capable of operating within harsh and demanding environments while maintaining the highest standards of safety, realism, and operational reliability.
2024
Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service Renews Maintenance Contract with Chalke Valley Engineering for 2024
Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service has renewed its specialist maintenance contract with Chalke Valley Engineering for 2024, continuing a successful working relationship focused on maintaining high-quality live-fire training facilities and operational readiness.
The renewal reflects the Fire & Rescue Service’s confidence in Chalke Valley Engineering’s professionalism, technical expertise, and consistent standard of workmanship in supporting critical firefighter training infrastructure.
Chalke Valley Engineering has been responsible for the ongoing maintenance and support of specialist fire training units used to deliver realistic emergency response exercises for operational crews. The systems are designed to provide safe, reliable, and repeatable live-fire training scenarios, helping firefighters maintain the practical skills required for real-world incidents.
A representative from Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service commented:
“Chalke Valley Engineering have consistently delivered a highly professional service and have demonstrated excellent technical knowledge, responsiveness, and attention to detail throughout our working relationship. The quality of the finished product and the reliability of the training facilities have been extremely impressive, helping us maintain safe and effective firefighter training environments.”
The spokesperson added:
“Their understanding of operational requirements, combined with the standard of engineering and ongoing support provided, gives us confidence in the long-term reliability and performance of the systems.”
Chalke Valley Engineering has developed a growing reputation within the fire and rescue training sector for delivering durable, realistic, and professionally engineered live-fire training systems across the UK. The company specialises in the design, fabrication, maintenance, and support of advanced fire and rescue training rigs for aviation, offshore, industrial, and emergency service applications.
The renewed contract further reinforces Chalke Valley Engineering’s commitment to supporting frontline emergency services through reliable engineering, responsive technical support, and high-quality training infrastructure.
2022
We were tasked this year by Northamptonshire police and the Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Authority to carry out maintenance of their large training facility at Chelveston Airfield. We have been working with them to fit in and around training to install a new demo container and repair the rigs by replacing and improving the current facilities to ensure a safe and enhanced training outcome.
Working with members of the Police estate management, heads of training and support on the ground, it is all coming together nicely, we should complete our initial phase of work before the end of 2022.
The atmosphere and the welcoming that our guys have received on site has made working here a pleasure, which is certainly appreciated as the work removing and replacing steel can be dirty and challenging conditions. We all look forward to a long and excellent business relationship over the coming years.
2021
After our preferred partner had secured a contract with one of the Nuclear power stations it became apparent that other stations within the Nuclear industry would like to have their own training facility for the teams that are required to carry out the first response in an emergency.
FAST FORWARD
On site now as part of a training facility now includes a Cold Villa and an Attack container.
The Cold Villa can be heated up and filled with synthetic smoke. There is a warren of rooms over three floors built in kit form from 6 x 40ft containers with interconnecting security doors.2 x internal staircases and ladders with inertia points. We have also provided an outside floor area and stair case on the out side that will give the students the feeling of descending into basements
For confined space work we have included a crawl area that can be interchanged to vary routes to make it as difficult or easy as you would like. We have also provided a vertical confined space area to enhance the training experience.
GALLERY
PHOTOS OF THE RIGS DURING CONSTRUCTION AND USE
