INTRODUCTION By Sub Officer Richard Harvey - Blue Watch.

 

The role of a Firefighter is one that is constantly changing not just to keep in time with new innovations in technology but also to apply the latest training techniques which allow the fire service to respond to the growing number of incidents brought about by climate change and enhance the wide range of skills that can be used by fire crews.

 

The formation of the Water Rescue Team in 2001 is one such way that the Isle of Man Fire & Rescue Service hopes to ensure that it can provide as wide a spectrum of response to calls for assistance whilst also giving crews a knowledge base that can secure their safety and that of the public whilst dealing with these incidents.

 

The team consists of twelve volunteers with varying range of experience and ranks from Firefighter through to Station Officer all of whom have been trained in near water safety and water rescue techniques by the Outreach Organisation in North Wales.

 

 

The skills developed aid the team members in areas of water rescue which include: moving in flood water, tethered swims, throw line rescue techniques and boat handling.

Each team member has their own PPE which includes thermal insulation suit, dry suit canyon boots, gloves, hood, helmet and PFD and has access to various types of other equipment such as throw lines floating lines and equipment for rigging access and control systems for use with an AVON ERB 380 rescue boat.

Some members of the Water Rescue Team are also attached to the Line Rescue Team which gives a good cross-over of ideas of how to deal with scenarios, but for incidents where more complex rope systems are required the two teams have trained together with complex rescues being carried out successfully.

If you require any more information on the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service Water Rescue Team contact webmaster@iomfire.com who will relay any information to Sub Officer Richard Harvey.

All images copyright of the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service

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