Chamber
Plenary, 06 Jun 2007
06 Jun 2007 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Moving Water (Rescue Arrangements)
I commend Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service for being one of the few rescue services that has specifically trained personnel for specialised water rescue. Over and above the training that is received by all the fire and rescue staff, some personnel are trained to deal with the initial stages of water rescues.
Several years ago, I faced a real-life situation when I was a serving police officer in London. A colleague and I were dealing with an incident on one of the central London bridges over the Thames. We managed to grab the clothing of a young girl as she jumped from the parapet of the bridge, but for the next few seconds, as she was slipping out of her upper clothing and out of our grasp, I was faced with the thought, "If she falls into the river, do I go in after her or let her go?" Without having any specific training in moving water incidents as set out in the motion, that is a choice that I, or any other police or fire and rescue officer, should not have to make for themselves or for others.
Fortunately for me—and, more important, for the young girl—I did not have to make that choice because a third officer arrived on the scene and managed to lean over and grab her jeans so that, between the three of us, we managed to pull her over the parapet to safety. Decisions such as the one that I might have faced—and which have, I am sure, been faced by many police and fire and rescue officers in the past—could be avoided by putting in place the correct training and procedures.
If some fire and rescue services in Scotland provide a specialist service for water rescue training, it is surely time for all practices throughout Scotland to be reviewed in order to avoid officers facing potential disciplinary action—Roseanna Cunningham mentioned that—as a result of there not being a uniform practice for moving water incidents. It is also surely time for statutory regulations to be put in place to ensure that a clear and consistent service is provided to the public throughout Scotland.
Several years ago, I faced a real-life situation when I was a serving police officer in London. A colleague and I were dealing with an incident on one of the central London bridges over the Thames. We managed to grab the clothing of a young girl as she jumped from the parapet of the bridge, but for the next few seconds, as she was slipping out of her upper clothing and out of our grasp, I was faced with the thought, "If she falls into the river, do I go in after her or let her go?" Without having any specific training in moving water incidents as set out in the motion, that is a choice that I, or any other police or fire and rescue officer, should not have to make for themselves or for others.
Fortunately for me—and, more important, for the young girl—I did not have to make that choice because a third officer arrived on the scene and managed to lean over and grab her jeans so that, between the three of us, we managed to pull her over the parapet to safety. Decisions such as the one that I might have faced—and which have, I am sure, been faced by many police and fire and rescue officers in the past—could be avoided by putting in place the correct training and procedures.
If some fire and rescue services in Scotland provide a specialist service for water rescue training, it is surely time for all practices throughout Scotland to be reviewed in order to avoid officers facing potential disciplinary action—Roseanna Cunningham mentioned that—as a result of there not being a uniform practice for moving water incidents. It is also surely time for statutory regulations to be put in place to ensure that a clear and consistent service is provided to the public throughout Scotland.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Alasdair Morgan):
SNP
The final item of business is a members' business debate on motion S3M-81, in the name of Roseanna Cunningham, on rescue from moving water. The debate will b...
Motion debated,
That the Parliament notes with concern the rising number of incidents involving persons trapped in moving water, including incidents in the River Tay at Pert...
Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) (SNP):
SNP
Perhaps rescue from broken podiums might be more appropriate.I make it clear from the outset that the phrase "persons trapped in moving water" is the termino...
Elizabeth Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
I congratulate Roseanna Cunningham on securing the debate and commend her diligence in seeking answers to the questions that, as yet, remain unanswered. I ex...
Stefan Tymkewycz (Lothians) (SNP):
SNP
I commend Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service for being one of the few rescue services that has specifically trained personnel for specialised water ...
Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
It is unfortunate, to say the least, that not one member of the Labour Party and not one Liberal Democrat is attending the debate.
Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD) rose—
LD
Christine Grahame:
SNP
I apologise to the member and beg his pardon. I should have said only that not one member of the Labour Party is attending the debate. I hope that there will...
Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP):
SNP
I congratulate Roseanna Cunningham on securing the debate, not only because this is the first members' debate in the new session, but because the issue is im...
Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con):
Con
I congratulate Roseanna Cunningham on bringing this important matter to the chamber. I speak as an MSP for the Highlands and Islands, which contains many fas...
The Minister for Community Safety (Fergus Ewing):
SNP
I thank all those who have stayed to contribute to and listen to this evening's debate. In particular, I thank Roseanna Cunningham for initiating the first m...
Roseanna Cunningham:
SNP
Does the minister accept that, notwithstanding the statutory position, the import of the many letters that I have received from various constabularies around...
Fergus Ewing:
SNP
I understand entirely the point that Roseanna Cunningham makes. In mountain rescue, although the legal duty rests with the police, many rescues are carried o...
Meeting closed at 17:32.