Chester House Estate staff gain lifesaving skills through Fire Service training

Staff at the Chester House Estate are now better prepared to respond to water-related emergencies after completing a Waterside Responder course delivered by Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Eleven members of the Estate’s staff took part in the free training, delivered by Prevention Team members and firefighters from Wellingborough Fire Station.

Developed by the RNLI, the Waterside Responder programme is designed to give organisations and venues that are located near water the knowledge and confidence to help prevent drowning before the arrival of emergency crews.

The Chester House Estate in Irchester is situated along the River Nene and welcomes a number of visitors to events year-round. The venue team wanted to make sure that their staff were equipped to respond quickly and safely should people find themselves in difficulty in the water.

Participants learnt how to prevent incidents, identify risks, communicate effectively with emergency services and safely help people in need.

They also gained practical experience in using throwlines, first mastering the correct technique on dry land before putting their new skills to the test at the river’s edge. Firefighters entered the water to simulate a rescue, allowing the staff to practice throwing the lines accurately before pulling them to safety.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service Community Safety Officer Dan Noone delivered the training alongside Youth Engagement Officer Michelle Bates and the Wellingborough firefighters.

Dan said: “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.

“It’s fantastic to see the Chester House Estate taking a proactive approach to water safety and learning how to potentially save lives.”

Cllr Gregory Wilcox, Executive Member for Communities and Rural Affairs at North Northamptonshire Council said:

“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. My thanks go to Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, for sharing their expertise and supporting us in keeping visitors safe.”

Organisations in Northamptonshire interested in arranging Waterside Responder training for their staff can get in touch with the team at: enquiries@northantsfire.gov.uk