On Saturday 25 July crews from Fareham and Andover visited popular local waterside areas in support of World Drowning Prevention Day.
During the day crew members from Fareham Fire Station visited Fareham Creek and Hill Head, both popular areas with members of the public, to help share life-saving water safety advice.
Fareham Fire Station is home to specially trained Water Rescue Technicians as part of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service’s swift water rescue capability.
As part of the role of a modern-day firefighter, our teams are prepared to tackle incidents beyond fires, and on the water. The Fareham firefighters are equipped with a Water Rescue Unit which carries a variety of associated equipment to allow for swift water rescues using boats, swimming and other rope/specialist techniques.
Fareham Station Manager Carl Halewood said:
“Providing water safety education enables our Service to move beyond responding to emergencies and focus on preventing incidents, particularly given the number of avoidable drownings recorded across the UK this summer.
By combining specialist expertise, practical demonstrations, targeted community engagement and partnership working, Fareham Fire Station serves as a hub for both emergency response and public education. This joined-up approach helps reduce water-related incidents, improves community safety, supports emergency responders and, ultimately, saves lives.”
Over the weekend, crews from Andover Fire Station visited popular local nature spot Anton Lakes to speak to local people about how to stay safe in and around water.
They gave out water safety advice and resources to help share the key safety messages. The water safety resources were kindly funded by 3SFire Community Interest Company who continually help us to share community safety advice to help make life safer across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
With summer in full swing and schools out, many of us will be spending more time by rivers, lakes, canals, and the coast. While water can be a source of fun and joy, it also poses real dangers. Sadly, drowning claims more than 300,000 lives globally each year (World Health Organization).
If you see someone struggling in the water, remember these crucial steps:
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Phone – Call 999 for Fire and Rescue (for inland water incidents) or the Coastguard (for coastal emergencies).
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Float – Encourage them to float on their back and stay calm.
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Throw something that floats to help them stay above water.
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Never enter the water to attempt a rescue yourself.
Enjoy the water safely this summer and help save lives by sharing this important advice!
A new 3SFire training package is now available to support those who work in and around water for wetland work. Working in or around water presents unique hazards that require specialist knowledge, sound judgement and practical skills. The course has been designed to equip employees and volunteers with the knowledge and confidence to work safely near rivers, streams, wetlands, mud and ice, helping organisations minimise risk while protecting the health and wellbeing of their teams. Find out more.
