Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue crews from Newark Fire Station’s Specialist Rescue Unit visit children at Bishop Alexander L.E.A.D school in Newark
School children were thrilled to see a big red fire engine turn up at their school for a surprise visit this week.
A crew from Newark Fire Station was invited to Bishop Alexander L.E.A.D school, with the forming part of Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service’s wider community engagement goals.
However, it wasn’t a regular crew which showed up, it was the Specialist Rescue Unit.
The unit assists in emergency incidents involving water, such as river rescues and flooding.
The visit came about as the children had been learning about boats and rivers in class and will soon be taking a school trip down to the River Trent to spot different types of boats.
Blue watch manager, Andrew Snell, and firefighter Mark Carrington, spoke with Key Stage One pupils about what they do and the importance of water safety.
The children asked questions about the equipment that was used and the type of incidents which the firefighters would attend.
As a specialised unit — one of only two in the county — the truck has been adapted to carry all manner of rescue equipment, including a Rigged Inflatable Boat which can be hydraulically lowered.
Andrew explained that typically when responding to an incident, they would be joined by another fire crew to assist them from land and to help set up their equipment.
The firefighters wear life jackets, dry suits and a helmet while in the boat to keep themselves safe, and use tools such as spotlights, depth poles, and rope lines carry out their jobs.
When needed, they also have the capability to use inflatable sleds which can be attached to the main boat.
They then explained the importance of only swimming in a controlled environment such as a swimming pool, under the supervision of a life guard.
The children were told not to get too close to the edge of water bodies in case they fall in, and to avoid swimming in rivers, lakes and ponds where the water depth may not be obvious and where hazards could be hidden below the surface.
The highlight of the visit came when the firefighters sounded the engine sirens and horns, much to the delight of the children.
