FIREFIGHTERS were spotted in Colchester undertaking training exercises.

Pedestrians and drivers snapped these photos of the firefighters as they scaled a ladder and performed an exercise with water.

Crews in Colchester set up an Aerial Ladder Platform (ALP) to be used as a water tower with water supplied from the Water Tender.

High- The ALP vehicle was raised high for the firefighters' exercise. High- The ALP vehicle was raised high for the firefighters' exercise. (Image: Jessica Marie Howlett)

It was some local training for the crews, as Colchester has three firefighters which have recently passed their ALP course.

The crews took those three firefighters to different locations to give them more experience setting up the ALP and getting it to work as a water tower in different environments.

Water- The crew were spotted spraying water as part of the training exercise. Water- The crew were spotted spraying water as part of the training exercise. (Image: Jessica Marie Howlett)

An ALP is designed to disperse water onto buildings from above.

Normally, this is for use at incidents where it may be inaccessible to do so from the ground.

These vehicles are also used to assist in rescues from tall structures, provide observation platforms, provide a stable working platform at height and below ground level, and provide a stretcher if needed.