Firefighters team up with DSN to teach water safety (From Northwich Guardian)

Firefighters team up with DSN to teach water safety

9:50am Monday 3rd September 2012 in News

WATER safety was the theme of an awareness day held by firefighters and a deafness charity.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service teamed up with Northwich-based Deafness Support Network (DSN) to host the event at their Winsford headquarters.

The annual day saw firefighters, with the help of interpreters from DSN, hand out vital tips on water survival, raising awareness of general water safety messages and ensuring that young people knew the potential dangers of swimming in open water.

The group of young people who were D/deaf or hard of hearing themselves, or who have parents who are D/deaf or hard of hearing parents, were then given key water safety messages.

They were also advised about how to spot an emergency and what to do to raise the alarm.

Richard Ost, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, said: "The day was a great success and we hope these young people will never have to experience an emergency situation around water, however, it is vital that they do know what to do to protect themselves and their families if they do get into danger."

Gill Reeder, Executive Operations of DSN said: "These events are a great opportunity to show both deaf people and the emergency services how to communicate in such urgent and possibly life-threatening circumstances. These events really bring home how vital good communication is in these situations.”