Sussex Transport recently welcomed teams from West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service and the South East Coast Ambulance Service to our Lancing headquarters for an LGV Appreciation Day — a hands-on training event designed to improve emergency response and raise awareness of the unique challenges presented by Large Goods Vehicles (LGVs).
The event formed part of our long-standing community commitment and highlighted how collaboration between industry and emergency services strengthens safety for everyone.
Collaborating with Emergency Services for increased Safety
The day brought together newly qualified paramedics and a range of experienced firefighters, each keen to deepen their understanding of what happens when they attend incidents involving LGVs — whether it’s a medical collapse in a cab, a person trapped under a vehicle, or accessing a casualty inside a truck with restricted space.
Crews received an introduction to LGV hazard zones, structural dangers, and the complexities of working around different vehicle configurations. Sussex Transport supplied three of its operational fleet for the day:
– An articulated truck
– A Hiab vehicle
– A 26-tonne curtainsider fitted with a Moffett
Each vehicle type provided a different learning environment and different risk considerations — ideal for exposing crews to the kinds of situations they may face during real-world roadside emergencies.
Practical, Real-World LGV Training Scenarios
Teams were split into rotating groups, each undertaking structured walk-arounds and hands-on practical exercises. These included:
– Identifying hazard zones inside and outside LGVs
– Accessing a collapsed driver within a cab
– Understanding risks associated with cranes, attachments, and load security
– Techniques for managing a simulated trapped casualty
– Lifting a truck using airbags to free a potentially trapped pedestrian
These live, practical scenarios gave crews exposure to the scale, weight, and behaviour of LGVs — something difficult to replicate in a standard training environment.
The result was a far stronger understanding of the risks, dangers and best-practice techniques required when responding to LGV-related incidents.
Supporting Emergency Services Through Community Engagement
This event sits at the heart of Sussex Transport’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, where collaboration, safety and community support remain core values.
Over the years, we have supported a number of emergency services organisations — including the Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) — through fundraising initiatives, operational support and specialised training access.
The LGV Appreciation Day is another example of how industry and emergency services can work closely together to help improve public safety.
Alongside transport, lifting and logistics operations, Sussex Transport operates a dedicated Training Division that delivers accredited, practical courses for operators, supervisors and managers across construction, logistics, industrial and working-at-height environments.
For businesses in construction, warehousing, industrial environments or emergency response who require safety-critical training, our team provides support throughout the South East and beyond.
A Continuing Commitment to Safety and Partnership
As the training concluded, both the Fire & Rescue and Ambulance teams left with a deeper understanding of LGV risks and a renewed confidence in responding to large-vehicle incidents.
It was a privilege to host the event and share our vehicles and expertise with the crews. The day really underlined how training and collaboration between industries and emergency services benefit everyone.
Sussex Transport remains committed not only to providing high-quality transport and lifting services, but also to strengthening safety, skills and community partnerships across the region.
If your organisation — whether in logistics, construction, emergency response or local industry — is interested in training, site safety support or collaborative projects, our Training Division is here to help.
