Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has started making boat fire safety visits to boats on the towpath again. Fire fighter Michael Franklin provided this update:
The fire service has trained two fire fighters based at Pewsey fire station on how to carry out boat fire safety visits. So far they have carried out four visits to boats in the area whilst under supervised training and some of those visits raised a number of risks to health such as volatile fuels being stored within the living quarters and no Carbon Monoxide detectors fitted.
At present the fire service staff are using bicycles to access the tow path but the bikes are used by Trowbridge fire fighters and have to be returned. As a consequence, Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, Pewsey Community Area Partnership and CRT are putting together a funding bid to buy two bicycles for the fire staff to use.
The information below may be of use to boaters:
Did you know?
On average, 89 fire-related accidents and injuries occur on boats every year.
Fires on privately owned boats kill at least three people every year.
Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has a boat safety advisor and local fire fighters who will provide fire safety advice to the local boating community on the Kennet and Avon Canal.
Rob Buckland and the trained fire fighters can provide advice on items such as smoke alarms, cooking, fuel storage, flares, life jackets and general water safety. The Service has seen a significant drop in accidental boat fires in the last few years which pays testament to the work that Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service provide to our water based community.
Our services are totally free and confidential.
if you would like a free boat fire safety visit please contact Mike Franklin on 07919 306037 or email michael.franklin@wiltsfire.gov.uk, providing the following information:
Name and contact details; boat name or other identifying features and where moored so our staff can easily locate the craft.
Tags: Fire safety, liveaboards, Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service