Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service has been recognised for its lifesaving work training organisations to rescue a person in the water.
The Fire Service’s Prevention Team (pictured above) has been praised by the Royal National Lifesaving Institution (RNLI) for their excellence promoting and delivering the Waterside Responder Course.
The programme sees fire staff and crews engage with organisations who operate near water, such as businesses, voluntary groups and community groups, equip them with basic knowledge to help them respond to a person in the water prior to the arrival of firefighters.
Staff are taught water safety techniques such as how to encourage those in trouble to float on their back to fend off the effects of cold water shock while being taught the correct technique to cast a throw line.
One of those organisations who took part in the Waterside Responder Course is the University of Northampton who were able to put their new skills to use when they rescued a person from the water on the nearby River Nene.
Both organisations were given certificates of best practice by the RNLI at Fire Service HQ on 24 June.
Prevention Team Leader Darren Carson said: “We’ve had a real mix of organisations who have signed up to take part in Waterside Responder training, crucially who are located next to water.
“Many of these locations are rural, so it buys vital time and increases chances of survival.
“I’m really proud the course we’ve delivered has saved people from danger in the water and the fantastic partnerships we’ve made with the organisations across the county who contribute to keeping our community safe.”
Waterside Responder training was launched by the RNLI after an initial trial in the Tyne and Wear area, where five people were rescued between 2018 and 2020.
Si Bristow, Water Safety Education Manager for the North and East at the RNLI, added: “Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service has gone above and beyond to deliver the Waterside Responder Course since they became a partner in 2022.
“They have shown huge drive to prevent harm and have involved fire crews in waterside training to make it more realistic for participants.
“Their engagement to driving forward this community-based initiative has helped to build a strong network to share safety techniques.”
Deputy Vice Chancellor Becky Bradshaw said: “This recognition from the RNLI is a fantastic testament to the commitment and skill of the University’s Campus Safety Team.
“It’s wonderful to see the team’s dedication to water safety being acknowledged in such a public way, especially given the positive impact their work has had for both our community and local emergency services.
“Here at the University of Northampton, our greatest priority is to keep our staff, students and wider community safe, and we are proud of our continued working relationship with Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service to prioritise safety – both in and out of the water.”
