Wakey Water Safety Weekend

The Wakefield District Water Safety Group hosted the first Wakey Water Safety Weekend across the district.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, West Yorkshire Police and the Yorkshire Ambulance Service came together to promote water safety in hot spot areas, across the district, and provided key messages and guidance to the community.

From Castleford, to Hemsworth, and Pugneys Country Park to Wakefield. Local people spoke with firefighters from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, viewed water safety equipment, and watched lifesaving throwline water demonstrations.

Two new water safety throwlines were also unveiled along the River Calder.

Over the weekend, key district partners got involved, including Wakefield Council and WDH. The Wakefield Healthy Housing Pathway is a scheme that seeks to support individuals or families with issues such as fuel poverty, high energy bills, and poor or hazardous housing conditions.

Jimmy Fitt, Assistant District Commander Wakefield, at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said:

“Wakey Water Safety Weekend was a success. Our crews from across Wakefield engaged with our communities and delivered our water safety messages. We have seen some tragic incidents over the last few years, and we want everyone to keep themselves, their friends and families safe around the open water this summer. We urge everyone not to enter the water, and remember our call, tell, throw advice if they see someone in difficulty:

Call - If you see someone in difficulty in the water, call 999 and ask for the fire service.

Tell - Them help is coming and tell them the float to live advice - stay calm, lean back, extend your arms and legs.

Throw - Throw them something that floats.

We have worked in partnership with WDH to install two new Water Safety Equipment Signs on the River Calder, close to Calder Crescent. 

We hope the signs will never be needed, but they are there for our communities to use if they see someone in difficulty in the water. Our crews will be out and about over the summer months, giving water safety advice and offering throwline training. If your local group would like a visit, please contact us via our social media channels.
 

We hope everyone has a safe and happy Summer holidays. If anyone would like any further advice, please visit the Water Safety page on our website. “

WDH Estate Manager Kathryn McCracken, said: 

“It is crucial that everyone remembers the fire service’s advice if they see someone in difficulty in the water. We’re keen to reinforce this and to support new signs and throwlines along the River Calder near our homes.

“With the summer holidays now here and temperatures rising, we all know that open water can be tempting. We echo advice not to enter the water no matter how strong a swimmer you think are.

“Recent tragic events within our area show us the catastrophic consequences of taking risks in the water. If you see someone in difficulty, remember to Call, Tell and Throw.”

Follow Us

For more updates, follow us on our social media channels, or follow the hashtag #WYFRS50.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service: Water Safety.