Door staff trained in river rescue
Door staff who work in the loop of Shrewsbury's River Severn have been training in water rescue and safety.
Emergency services joined forces with the RNLI to run a series of training courses for security companies who provide door staff for pubs and clubs in the town centre.
The stewards have had both theoretical and practical training in the use of rescue throw lines, river safety and water rescue techniques.
Recently the lastest trainees went to the Weir in Shrewsbury for a day of practical training.
Malcolm Stevenson from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said sadly there had been tragic deaths in the Severn late at night.
"To have people who are working in the town centre late at night, trained in river rescue techniques can only be a good thing. We hope they never have to use the training but it could save a life."
He said other areas were now looking at what was happening in Shrewsbury and the programme could be rolled out.
West Mercia police Inspector Ed Hancox said : "West Mercia Police in conjunction with Shropshire Fire and Rescue working in partnership with Team Shrewsbury and the RNLI have piloted this progressive plan of training local security companies who provide door staff to the local night time economy venues here in Shrewsbury town centre with while working in partnership with the Emergency services.
"The training of Eagle Protective services brings the total of four security companies that have been trained to date with staff training already completed with fellow security companies Prosecure 2000 , Active Security Solutions and Belmont security services. It brings the total number of local door staff trained to 40 door staff members who have attended this Rescue 3 inspired training package.
"We take river safety very seriously and we continue to work with our partner agencies in this proactive way. We will be re-lauching the national, Respect the Water campaign in Shrewsbury over the Christmas period.
