Two crews attended phase four of the Grade II* listed development, where firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered smoke-filled areas as part of a simulated emergency involving people potentially trapped on level eight.
Firefighters set up hose lines before carrying them up the stairwells, using water, breathing apparatus and thermal imaging cameras as synthetic smoke reduced visibility.
Park Hill鈥檚 distinctive elevated walkways, external staircases and link bridges, combined with areas at various stages of construction, presented conditions very different from a purpose-built training facility.
Cris Bradley, Watch Manager B of South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: 鈥淎ccess to realistic training is really important. Because crews are unfamiliar with the environment, it helps bridge the gap between training in controlled conditions and responding to a real incident.
鈥淚鈥檇 really like to thank GMI for giving us access to the building. Hopefully, it鈥檚 something we鈥檙e able to repeat in the future.鈥�
Andy Storrs, GMI鈥檚 Senior Project Manager at Park Hill Phase 4, said: 鈥淧ark Hill has features you wouldn鈥檛 encounter on a new-build development, giving the fire service different challenges and increasing their familiarity with the building should they ever have to respond to a real incident here.
鈥淐onstruction has its own emergency procedures and mandatory drills, so it鈥檚 also an opportunity for us to learn.鈥�
One of Sheffield鈥檚 most recognisable landmarks, Park Hill opened in 1961 and is renowned for its Brutalist architecture and 鈥榮treets in the sky鈥�.聽
GMI is refurbishing its Duke Street block for joint venture partners Urban Splash and Places for People, creating 125 new homes, 20 per cent through affordable tenures, together with new public realm, EV charging points, car club facilities and secure cycle storage. Completion is scheduled for spring 2028.
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