Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service mark World Prevention Drowning Day with a day of action

To mark World Drowning Prevention Day, on 25 July, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service held a range of events across the county to help warn and inform partner agencies, and the public, of the dangers of open water.

Following a recent spate of tragic drownings in the county, and the start of the summer holidays, the importance of our work and a unified approach with partners has never been more important.

Events included a water rescue capability presentation by Bedford Blue Watch and the Drowning Prevention Group to colleagues from police, local councils, the Environment Agency, RNLI and Bedford Community Safety Partnership.

This was followed by a water rescue demonstration at Bedford’s Embankment where press and media were invited to attend.

Later in the afternoon crews from Harrold, Bedford, Sandy and Leighton Buzzard, plus the multi-agency partners were all taking part in public engagement events at locations around the county.

In the evening Bedford Town Bridge was lit up blue to remember those who have sadly lost their lives in our waters and raise awareness.

Group Commander, Robert Hulatt said: “Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, alongside our response partners, have unfortunately attended a number of serious water-related incidents recently. These incidents have highlighted the need to have a unified approach to increase public awareness of the dangers of swimming in open water.

We decided to use World Drowning Prevention Day as a platform to emphasise water safety messaging on a local level. We also wanted to publicise the numerous throw lines, reach poles and information signage which are situated around bodies of water in the county.

If you see someone in trouble do not attempt to get into the water to rescue them yourself, call 999 and ask for the fire service and await our attendance.“