Chester House Estate staff gain lifesaving water rescue skills
Practical rescue training equips staff for River Nene safety
Staff at the Chester House Estate are better equipped to respond to water-related emergencies after completing specialist training delivered by Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Eleven members of the Irchester visitor attraction took part in a Waterside Responder course, led by firefighters from Wellingborough Fire Station alongside members of the fire service's Prevention Team.
The free programme, developed by the RNLI, is designed for organisations located near rivers, lakes and other waterways. It aims to provide staff with the confidence and practical skills needed to help prevent drownings before emergency services arrive.
Situated alongside the River Nene, the Chester House Estate hosts events and welcomes thousands of visitors throughout the year. Estate managers said they wanted staff to be prepared to act safely and effectively should somebody get into difficulty in the water.
During the training, participants learned how to identify water safety risks, prevent incidents from developing and communicate critical information to emergency services.
The course also included practical exercises using throwlines, an essential piece of water rescue equipment. After learning the correct techniques on dry land, staff put their skills into practice on the riverbank.
Firefighters entered the water as part of a simulated rescue scenario, giving participants the opportunity to practise throwing lines accurately and bringing casualties to safety.
Community Safety Officer Dan Noone, who delivered the training alongside Youth Engagement Officer Michelle Bates and firefighters from Wellingborough Fire Station, said the course could help save lives.
"The Waterside Responder training gives people the skills and confidence to respond safely, whether that's helping to prevent someone entering the water, using a throwline effectively, or knowing how to communicate vital information to emergency services," he said.
"It's fantastic to see the Chester House Estate taking a proactive approach to water safety and learning how to potentially save lives."
Councillor Gregory Wilcox, North Northamptonshire Council's Executive Member for Communities and Rural Affairs, praised the initiative.
"This training has given staff at the Chester House Estate some really valuable water safety skills and greater confidence to safely help people in need," he said.
"My thanks go to Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service for sharing their expertise and supporting us in keeping visitors safe."
Organisations interested in arranging Waterside Responder training can contact Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service via [email protected].