Heavy Rescue Partnership Bob Dagless Head of Emergency Response

Heavy Rescue Partnership

History and Experience Difficult situations with existing rescue equipment Varied response times utilising Police Vehicle Recovery Operators (VRO’s) FF’s lack specialist knowledge of LGV/HGV Systems Delays in releasing trapped persons Delays in vehicle recovery operators accessing incidents due to traffic congestions Delays in clearing the incident and clearing highway

What we did about it Pilot scheme with a local vehicle recovery operator fully risk assessed. Identified a range of benefits Consulted with stakeholders, Firefighters, Operators, Police, Highways Agency, Road Rescue Associations and Insurers Agreed to formalise a partnership scheme Training with each other Developed a memorandum of understanding Formal launch on 17 th July 2008

Partners Auto – Rescue Logistics(ARL) Provide accident and breakdown recovery services A large number of registered VRO’s Affiliated Insurers A large number of insurers have signed up to the scheme Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service scheme is supported by major fleet operators NYK Logistics, Tesco’s

Vehicle Recovery Operator’s

Training VRO’s are all certificated and operate to ISO 9001, are UKAS accredited, PAS 43, CRB Checked Certification requires operators to receive training Range of training providers for recovery industry including HZ training, Machinery & Equipment Fire Crews arrange training locally with VRO’s

Mainly Heavy Rescue Other types of incident: Railway incidents Building collapse Tree collapse onto vehicles, buildings Animal rescues Environmental risks at RTC’s eg fuel tank rupture Bariatric patients (25 Stone plus)

Heavy Rescue Mobilisation Early mobilisation is essential Fire Control will mobilise Heavy Rescue to the following incidents: RTC involving HGV or PCV Multiple RTC on major roads On request from Incident Commander On discretion of OIC Fire Control

What equipment is available? Mobile Cranes Heavy Under Lift Heavy Duty Winches Slide Beds Heavy Low Loader HIAB Mobile Air Compressor Forklift Truck 4x4 Land Rovers Lights Units Chain Saws Fuel Pumps and Drums

Key Benefits of Heavy Rescue  Specialist skills and technical knowledge  A reduction in extrication time  Experts on scene can quickly disable or enable LGV/PSV systems  RTC’s are cleared quickly  Road and lane closure time reduced  Road network back to normality sooner

What's in it for partners  Fire Service  Free up resources more quickly  Insurers  Cost effective recovery  Reduced losses (perishable goods)  Fixed pricing schedule  Auto-Rescue Logistics  Raising the profile of the Recovery Industry Together; Saving Lives; Making a Difference

MIDLAND TODAY VIDEO FOOTAGE

Interested? What to do next  The scheme is available to all Fire Services  Off the shelf package  Risk Assessments already done  Operations Document Available  VRO Document for signing  Support available for ARL

Any Questions?