IIRSM Respond to the Latest ‘Elf ‘n’ Safety Story

IIRSM comments on the drowning of Simon Burgess who, it is claimed, fire-fighters couldn’t save due to health and safety

The IIRSM has read with sympathy and some concern about the incident in which a charity shop worker was drowned in spite of a fire crew being in attendance. Some of the comment has seen a return to the ‘elf ‘n’ safety agenda and has not considered that the emergency services had a procedure in place to deploy specialist units equipped for water rescue. This procedure was implemented although the specialists arrived later than the main crew.

The issue of safety of emergency services personnel has been raised in both the recent reports by Lord Young and Prof. Löfstedt and it is important for us to remember that they continue to risk their lives for the public.   Until the enquiry takes place, we will not know the full circumstances covering this incident, but it is quite clear that “health and safety” was not a factor in this rescue.

Obviously our feelings and thoughts go out to the family and friends of Mr Burgess, but we should not forget what the emergency services do for us all every day.

IIRSM press release