29/9/2006 - Picture story: New Barrow rescue boat hits the water

A new specialist rescue boat which will be used by firefighters to save people during floods and other inland emergencies becomes operational in Barrow from Monday (2 October).

Firefighters are pictured training on the new £5,000 rescue boat which will help the county’s Fire and Rescue Service to meet a new statutory requirement to perform urban flood rescues which comes into force next year.

During the 2005 floods, Cumbrian firefighters in Carlisle improvised equipment and procedures in order to rescue people trapped by the rising water. The lessons learned from the floods have led to a major investment in new equipment and training for personnel.

The Barrow rescue boat is the second to become operational with the first entering service in Carlisle earlier this month. Two more boats will be introduced in Workington and Kendal early next year.

Each boat is powered by a 20hp Honda outboard engine and to crew them safely, a total of 80 firefighters are being trained to Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Level 2 in Powerboat Handling. Training has also been provided to enable firefighters to carry out rescues in fast moving water.

The boats, which can carry a crew of four firefighters, are produced by Avon who also supply the military and other Fire and Rescue Services.

Councillor Geoff Hodgson, the Cumbria County Council cabinet member responsible for Public Protection, said: “Cumbria’s floods have been described as a 1-in-250 year event, and everyone hopes that the devastation we saw in 2005 will never be revisited upon the county again. But the addition of these specialist rescue boats to Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service’s arsenal means we’ll be better prepared if it does.

“The boats will also enable Cumbria’s firefighters to meet new legislation which comes into force next year to provide a modernised rescue capability."

Cumbria Fire & Rescue's Assistant Chief Officer for Operations Dave Keevil said: "I'm delighted in the way that our firefighters have responded to acquiring new skills and to Cumbria County Council for the investment made to enable us to improve people's safety in these extraordinary events."

ENDS

Media enquiries to Mark Graham, Media Officer on 01228-606337

Notes for Editors

The attached picture shows Cumbrian firefighters training on one of the new rescue boats.