Blackpool Beach Patrol Annual Report 2015

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Blackpool Beach Patrol Annual Report 2015"

Augustus Chambers
5 years ago
Views:

3 Contents Annual Report Overview 4 Table: Incidents Figures 8 Analysis of Serious Incidents 9 Seafront Activities 11 Table: Historical Data 12 Page 3 of 13

Annual Report Overview Prevention, Rescue and First Aid This report documents the serious incidents that occurred in Blackpool during the 2015 season.

4 Annual Report Overview Prevention, Rescue and First Aid This report documents the serious incidents that occurred in Blackpool during the 2015 season. The Beach Patrol attended 289 serious incidents assisting over 5300 members of the public. This dramatic increase of 25% on last year demonstrates the need and effectiveness of the Beach Patrol operating a year round service. Royal Life Saving Society - National Water Safe Code During the school visits, safety awareness topics included the RLSS (Royal Lifesaving Saving Society s) National Water Safe Code and Your guide to Seaside Safety relevant to Blackpool. This supports the country s leading provider of swimming (Amateur Swimming Association) relating to National Water Safety and Drowning Prevention information. Beach Safety Awareness The Beach Patrol issued a pre Easter Safety Document to all local schools, local newspapers and Social Media, to help target a wider audience. This safety document highlighted sea temperatures early season which are too cold for bathing at around 10 C and seldom reaching 17 C on a hot summer s day. This local safety awareness initiative will continue for Education In 2015, the Beach Patrol continued to visit a number of schools across the Fylde. The visits focused on Water Safety in a coastal environment. The Beach Patrol delivered key safety messages aimed at pre arrival Beach Safety Awareness prior to the schools breaking up. Page 4 of 13

Lost Children / Vulnerable Adults Lancashire Constabulary continued to fund the Lost Children Centres on the promenade run by the Beach Patrol.

5 Lost Children / Vulnerable Adults Lancashire Constabulary continued to fund the Lost Children Centres on the promenade run by the Beach Patrol. Over the year, the Beach Patrol successfully reunited 151 lost children / Vulnerable Adults, who had been found in distress on the beach and promenade, safely back with their carers. Law Enforcement Lost Children and Vulnerable Adults by Age Group Beach Patrol Officers dealt with 664 enforcement issues mostly relating to dogs in a restricted beach area, off the lead or fouling. Tourism support During the 2015 season, there was an increased demand on the Beach Patrol to support even more Major Events. This was in addition to normal Beach Patrol duties. All the Major Events we supported are highlighted below: Tim Burton s Hollywood Film Shoot early May Red Arrows Air Show South Beach - Spring Bank Holiday Beach Rugby Tournament World Record Dance Attempt on the Comedy Carpet around the Tower Headland Red Arrows Air Show (2 day event Central Beach August Ride The Lights Switch On Festival Weekend (2 day event) Tower Headland Central Beach World Fireworks four Friday evenings throughout September These were incredibly successful events attracting large crowds of up to 100,000 to the benefit of the town using our expert coastal knowledge and safety support. Page 5 of 13

6 New Sea Defences The new Sea Defences between Little Bispham and Blackpool s north boundary at Anchorsholme are nearing completion. Beach Patrol has worked closely with Balfour Beatty (contractors) to deliver safety arrangements along the new promenade. All safety arrangements and risk assessments have been finalised to determine Public Lifesaving Equipment, Physical Safety Barriers and National Beach Safety Signs. The safety equipment is currently being installed ahead of the grand opening early July North West (NW) Beach Management and Bathing Water Network The Beach Patrol continues to support the NW Beach Management and react to Short Term Pollution warnings. This water bathing directive is a new legal requirement for information to be available regarding water quality and potential source of pollution between 15th May and 30th September. This water bathing directive needs to be in place by 10am if required, on a daily basis, and is monitored by DEFRA. Seaside Awards Four of Blackpool s beaches received the Seaside Award in The Seaside Awards are the quality marks for our beaches and means those visiting them can be sure that our beaches are clean and safe. This helps achieve the highest environmental standards as well the tough bathing water quality standards. Community Lifesaving Plan for Blackpool Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) The Beach Patrol continues to actively support the working partnership with the RNLI. This is to develop a Community Lifesaving Plan for Blackpool to strive towards preventable drownings. The Beach Patrol has provided extensive input into a draft document on a strategic approach for Public Safety in the future. RNLI Respect the Water Campaign The Beach Patrol is also working with the RNLI to promote the RNLI s national Respect the Water campaign throughout the season. The Beach Patrol is committed to supporting this 5 year water safety campaign during Page 6 of 13

HM Coastguard National Restructure Update The Coastguard service is continuing to refine its new national restructure. As a result, Blackpool s new Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre (M.R.C.C.) will now be Holyhead and not Belfast, as originally planned.

7 HM Coastguard National Restructure Update The Coastguard service is continuing to refine its new national restructure. As a result, Blackpool s new Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre (M.R.C.C.) will now be Holyhead and not Belfast, as originally planned. We are continuing to work very closely with Blackpool s area Coastguard Commander to develop and improve capability and resilience. Team Performance This year the efforts of the Beach Patrol were recognised and acknowledged through Blackpool Council s Award Scheme, where the team won the award for Recognition in Excellent Customer Care at the Big Employee Conference. This is something that we are particularly proud of demonstrating commitment, quality and dedication of such a small team. Richard Williams Beach Patrol Manager Page 7 of 13

8 Table: Incidents Figures 2015 Age groups Gender Month Serious Incidents (Emergency Response, First Aid & Missing People) Emergency Response: First Aid: Safety Advice: Lost Children & Vulnerable Adults: Police: Law Enforcement: Council (Customer First, Cleansing): Maintenance Repairs & Vandalism: Alcohol/Drug Related Total Total Male Female Total January February March April May June July August September October November December Totals Page 8 of 13

9 Analysis of Serious Incidents 2015 Page 9 of 13

10 Page 10 of 13

Seafront Activities Some basic tasks that will often not show up on this report include:- Checks to all public rescue equipment and advanced lifesaving equipment Frequent routine patrols throughout

11 Seafront Activities Some basic tasks that will often not show up on this report include:- Checks to all public rescue equipment and advanced lifesaving equipment Frequent routine patrols throughout every day 365 days a year Directing the public to safety during incoming tides and off sandbanks Ensuring the public remain in a position of safety Securing physical safety barriers, to limit access around high water Reuniting lost children (and vulnerable adults) with their carers - Quick resolution Accurate data recording and record taking Educational development programme Youth development with local lifesaving club National Vocational Award for Beach Lifeguarding (NVBLQ) Beach Patrol Officers give out safety advice/ information many times every day, and whenever there is an incident. For this reason not all safety advice is recorded, and where safety advice has been given after an incident the statistics WILL NOT show that safety advice was also given, as this would give a skewed impression of events. Page 11 of 13

12 Table: Historical Data Date Serious Incidents Emergency Response & First Aid: First Aid: N/A N/A N/A Safety Advice: Lost Children & Vulnerable Adults: Police: Enforcement: Customer First (Council): Maintenance Repairs & Vandalism: Alcohol / Drug Related Total Age Age Age Age Age Age Age Age (50+ up to 2013) Age Total Male Female Total Note: First Aid reports were separated from Emergency Responses in the figures from The number of incidents does not tally directly with the number of people assisted, as many incidents involved multiple individuals. Page 12 of

13 J Contact us Blackpool Council Town Hall, Blackpool, FY1 1AD T: (01253) E: W:

Blackpool s Seaside Safety Guide 2018 Prepared by Blackpool Beach Patrol

Blackpool s Seaside Safety Guide 2018 Prepared by Blackpool Beach Patrol If you re heading down to the beach this Spring Bank Holiday it s a great way to spend your time relaxing as the beach and sea can