FIREFIGHTERS in Welwyn are appealing for old cars to practise cutting motorists out of.

The retained fire station in Welwyn receives 250 to 300 calls a year and because it is close to junction six of the A1(M), a lot of the calls are to respond to road traffic collisions on the motorway.

Firefighter Mac Engledew told the WHT: “The fire service has always relied on the public donating cars for us to practice and train, but with the recent scrappage scheme and now the rising cost of scrap metal, cars are very hard to come by.

“So Welwyn station needs your help if you have a car that has failed an MOT or you just don’t need anymore and would like to donate it the fire service for a worthy cause.”

He added: “We rely heavily on constant training, as cars are changing so fast and the techniques to remove trapped casualties need to be updated to rescue occupants quickly and carefully as possible, taking care with the vehicles’ safety systems such as air bags and seatbelt tensioners.

“It only takes one wrong cut with the hydraulic cutting equipment and we could make the situation a lot worse.”

n To donate an old car call Mac on 07960 420765. Welwyn firefighters have enlisted the help of a local company Recovery World to help move the vehicles.

If you are interested in becoming a retained on-call firefighter at Welwyn call 01438 718363 for more details.