Bright idea now a big reality
A Warwickshire firefighter has created a unique reach and rescue pole to help fire and rescue services across the country deal with water rescues.
Leamington firefighter, Andy Bishton, came up with the idea for the rescue pole after taking part in a water rescue exercise. Since then, Andy has played a key role in developing the lightweight pole with manufacturing firm, Reach and Rescue Limited.
Working together they have created the ‘Reach and Rescue Pole’ which has been so well received by fire and rescue services, it’s is becoming a global success.
The pole has been designed to improve the safety for firefighters carrying out rescues at water, ice, mud and flood related incidents by allowing them to use the pole to reach up to 55ft, so that firefighters can safely carry out the rescue without endangering themselves.
The key function of the pole is to provide a quick release flotation devise to any water related incident. At present it takes around five minutes for a flotation device to be created using an inflated fire hose. The reach and rescue pole can be extended fully within one minute, which gives firefighters those life saving minutes needed in water rescues.
Talking about the invention, Andy said: “Using standard length rescue poles outside of a swimming pool or boat rescue incident usually fall short of the target due to the size of the area we have to work in with steep banks, reeds, trees and bushes often hampering rescue efforts.
“My idea was to develop a long reach telescopic pole capability and to utilise existing technology to create a pole which we could use to enhance our water rescue capabilities, without compromising the safety of other firefighters. The pole we created is so long that it enables the rescuer to establish physical contact with a casualty without even entering the “3meter” hazard zone!”
Chief Fire Officer, Graeme Smith said: “We are really impressed with the creativity and initiative shown by Andy. The work he has undertaken shows a real aptitude for thinking about creative solutions to enhance our water rescue capabilities.
"Andy has spent months working with Reach and Rescue Limited to create the pole and those efforts were recently recognised at our annual awards ceremony, where Andy was presented with the ‘Opportunity for Improvement Award’.”
Managing Director of Reach and Rescue Limited, Sean Burkes said: "Working with Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service has been a real experience for us. By working together we have produced a unique product, ‘the reach and rescue pole’, which will help carry out rescues at water, ice, mud and flood related incidents.
"As a result of the support from WFRS we are now working with companies from around the world and our products are being tried, tested and demonstrated to a variety of users from rescue services right through to the military.”