Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

N/A at 12/08/2002 14:00

PHOTO AND INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY
2.00 pm on Monday 12th August at St Austell Fire Station

The press get their first chance to see the latest additions to Cornwall County Fire Brigade’s fleet in St. Austell on Monday – a new Operations Support Vehicle and Safety Boat.

Both are expected to be lifesavers in any waterborne incident, be it at sea or in connection with flooding, mud or ice rescues. The Brigade will be demonstrating the new highly-conspicuous Operational Support Vehicle and Safety Boat at St. Austell Fire Station - an appropriate location given the freak thunderstorm in November 1998 which saw over 100 firefighters working through the night to rescue residents of Pentewan and Polgooth from floodwater which rose to five feet.

The new vehicles are part of a project which began in September 2000 when the Brigade secured £78,000 from the then Fire and Public Protection Committee to introduce safety measures for the public and firefighters involved in floods or other water-related incidents. Various types of water safety equipment have now been purchased for all first-response appliances, as well as vehicles specifically for water rescues.

“Personnel throughout the Brigade have been trained in health and safety at ‘water related incidents’ and in doing so will be able to provide an enhanced service to the people of Cornwall,” says Divisional Officer Mervyn Kettle. “These new measures have been carefully researched with the six other Brigades in the South West Region, and the new equipment will make us better prepared for any water incidents we are called to.”

MORE INFORMATION Divisional Officer Mervyn Kettle on 01872 323736 or Davinia Grist on 01872 322785