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North West Ambulance ServiceLeisure Lifesavers Honoured

LAUNCH EditioN

Colin BrownCoastguard, Liverpool

Cliff DowningRNLI, New Brighton

Nick IsherwoodNorth West Ambulance Service

Merseyside Police Cheshire Constabulary

Greater Manchester Police (GMP)

the new ‘101’ Non-Emergency number launch

Merseyside Fire & Rescue New Fire Stations Update

Lancashire Fire & Rescue Fire Safety Shortfalls

Interviews

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N I N V I T A T I O N T O … A S T U N N I N G

W E D D I N G D A Y W I T H C O N T E S S A H O T E L S

ChesLife_Weddings1110_Layout 1 24/11/2010 14:06 Page 1

www.communityguardians.co.uk 3

WELCOME/CONTENTS

Merseyside Fire & Rescue The largest Fire Station building project in UK Fire Services History.

Red Leaf MediaPrepare for every Media and Presentation Opportunity.

RNLI – New BrightonBob Warwick, Press Officer.

Rainbow Children’s CharityWays in which you can show your support.

Morecrofts SolicitorsWhat makes Morecrofts LLP a different type of Legal Firm?

Cancer Research North WestMy Mum saved our family.

North West Ambulance ServiceNick Isherwood, Volunteer / Wigan Leisure Lifesavers Honoured.

UK COPS (Care Of Police Survivors)Providing a shoulder to cry on and someone to listen.

Coastguard – LiverpoolColin Brown, Rescue Co-Ordination Rescue Manager / Operations Room Staff Training Overview.

NHS WirralChoose Well this Winter.

House of ColourSo why choose an Image Consultant?

Lancashire Fire & RescueSafety shortfalls at shop premises.

British Transport Police – North WestMetal Theft, on the radar of the Emergency Services.

Cliff Downing, steps down as Lifeboat Operations Manager – New Brighton40 years with the RNLI.

Anxiety Therapy ClinicSetting you free from stress and anxiety.

Merseyside PoliceDrink Drive arrests increase over thefestive period.

Sea SafetySea Survival Courses for work or pleasure.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP)The new ‘101’ Non-Emergency number launch’

I would first of all, like to say abig THANK YOU, to ALL of thelocal North West EmergencyServices, for being involved.

You have not only embraced the concept or our ‘Community Guardians’ Magazine, placing Features, Staff Profiles and Interesting Articles in our Magazine,but you have also guaranteed the Magazine’s distribution. Your assistance in ensuring that ALL of your Staff have access to our Magazine, is really appreciated. I am grateful that you understandthe ethos behind our Magazine,which is to provide a welldistributed, ethical and interesting Magazine across the North West Emergency Services. We want our Magazine to have a true sense of realism, featuring issues that the Public Sector Workers will be interested in reading and stories they can really relate to. It has been a real eye-opener,in the production of ‘CommunityGuardians’, experiencing the sheer commitment, passion and determination of the Emergency Services in the North West, ensuring that we are safe and protected. You provide a place to turn to 24/7 when things go wrong. Many times, heroic actions go without praise, so we havetried to highlight some of them, in

‘Community Guardians’. I would also like to thank theEmergency Services who have invited us to spend time at their Offices, Call Centres and Stations, enabling us to speak to their Serving Officers. Also for taking the time to explain how the kit you use on a day to day basis works, from Telecommunications Systems and Vehicles to Apparatus. We would welcome any stories,interviews and articles that youwould like to put forward, for futureeditions of ‘Community Guardians’.This can be co-ordinated via yourCorporate Communications Teams.We hope that you enjoy theMagazine and we would REALLYAPPRECIATE your feedback regarding our Launch Edition, so we can continually evolve and provide a great read! PLEASE could you give yourcomments and feedback [email protected] supply name, job title and area/location please. You can also remain anonymous if you wish.

Rob GriffithsEditor in Chief

Welcome to our Launch Edition

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RDG Publishing & Telemarketing Ltd Royal Standard House, 334 New Chester Road,Birkenhead, Cheshire CH42 1LE www.communityguardians.co.ukCompany Registration Number 07826491. Registered in England and Wales. VAT Registration Number 123961125

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Issue One

Dedicated to the memory of David Griffiths 1949-2011

Feel free to download a copy of our digital version via our websitewww.communityguardians.co.uk

FEATURE MERSEYSIDE FIRE AND RESCUE

Merseyside

The scheme, under the Government’s Private Finance Initiative (PFI), will see sixteen new builds

across the North West of England, including seven in Merseyside, five in Cumbria and four in Lancashire. The first of the new stations has already been completed and handed over to ‘Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service’ at Patterdale in the Lake District. In Merseyside, seven fire stations are being completely demolished and

rebuilt with state-of-the-art, modern facilities for the

whole community to use. In Lancashire, similar new stations will be built in; Fleetwood, Burnley, Blackburn and Chorley.

In Cumbria, there will be two new stations in Carlisle, to replace the existing building which was flooded in 2005 and and a new fire headquarters for ‘Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service’ based in Penrith. This facility will also include ‘Cumbria County Council’s’ resilience unit and emergency control room as well as the new fire station. Workington will also get a new fire station. The stations will include community facilities that local people can use free of charge. The PFI project is split into two phases, with the first, which is currently ongoing, involving Kirkdale, Formby, Newton-le-Willows and Bootle/Netherton in Merseyside, Fleetwood and Blackburn in Lancashire; Carlisle East and West,

The largest fire station building project for UK Fire Services in history and the biggest construction programme of its kind in the North West of England is now under way.

RescueFire &

Patterdale and Penrith in Cumbria.The second phase, which sees a further six stations being built,

will get under way next

year, involving Southport, Belle Vale and

Birkenhead in Merseyside, Workington in Cumbria and

4 Community Guardians Magazine

Fire Station Images: Balfour Beatty Fire and Rescue

Birkenhead Community Fire Station

Patterdale Community Fire Station

Southport Community Fire Station


MERSEYSIDE FIRE AND RESCUE FEATURE

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Penrith Community Fire Station

Dan Stephens Chief Fire OfficerDan Stephens, Chief Fire Officer for ‘Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service’ said, “After several years in the planning, construction work is now underway to upgrade fire stations in Merseyside, Lancashire and Cumbria. “This project has shown how well the three Authorities have worked together on such a huge project.“As the project has developed, the three Services have been learning from each other and sharing ideas.“This has helped make building cost effective – for example, each Service has used different style appliance bay doors in the past, including roller-shutters and sliding doors. Now they are to be standardised, which means just a single supplier can be used and a bigger order will keep unit costs lower.“And it’s not just the Service that is benefiting from this sharing of ideas but also the community. Merseyside has launched a project which allows community groups to use their gym facilities – now Cumbria and Lancashire are considering whether similar schemes are practicable.“There will be no effect on emergency response while building work takes place.”

Burnley and Chorley in Lancashire. Southport’s new station will also include facilities and two vehicle bays for the ‘North West Ambulance Service’. ‘Balfour Beatty Fire and Rescue’ was chosen as the contractor to build the new fire stations across the North West. The total construction value for the sixteen stations is some £47 million. ‘Balfour Beatty’ will manage and maintain the new stations over the next 25 years in return for payments from the Fire & Rescue Authorities. The stations will then be fully handed back to each Authority in an “as new” condition.

IN MERSEYSIDE SEvEN FIRE STATIONS ARE BEING COMPLETELY DEMOLISHED AND REBUILT WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART, MODERN FACILITIES FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY TO USE. Mr Schofield said, “As this is a PFI contract, the three Authorities do not pay the capital cost of the buildings, but rather a Unitary Charge over the next 25 years which includes not only the cost of building the new stations but also their lifecycle and maintenance costs over that period. “The authorities receive an annual grant from the Government to help

with costs which minimises the cost to local council tax payers.” The stations at Carlisle West and Blackburn are expected to be finished early next year, closely followed by Carlisle East. The first new stations in Merseyside at Formby and Newton le Willows are expected before the middle of the year.

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Patterdale Community Fire Station

Colin SchofieldProject DirectorColin Schofield, the ‘Project Director’ who is based at MF&RS said “The PFI project is groundbreaking in its scope. It will provide fantastic stations that can really help make a difference to people’s lives in the communities they are based. “This is not just about fire safety, this is about providing a legacy and impact that can truly help change people’s lives for the better, making safer, stronger communities in Cumbria, Lancashire and Merseyside.“This project uses modern construction methods and each station will meet the highest environmental standards. The Blackburn station even includes a sedum planted roof.”

COLIN BROWN PROFILEFEATURE RED LEAF MEDIA

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FEATURE RNLI

We followed the crew and fundraisers throughout 2010 with the project culminating in two

major exhibitions at the ‘Williamson Art Gallery & Museum’, Birkenhead and at Liverpool’s ‘Anglican Cathedral’.(See www.lifeboats-oncall.org.uk) At the end of 2010, the station had a vacancy for a ‘Volunteer Press Officer’ and asked me if I would do it – I’ve been on a steep learning curve ever since. You never know what’s round the corner – its 23rd July, 2011 and 8:08 am, just settling down to my Corn Flakes - mobile phone receives text – ‘Launch Request Coastguard’.

This means that something is on the go – ‘HM Coastguard Liverpool’ requests assistance and our man with the duty mobile decides if we launch and what we launch and that depends on the nature of the situation this includes visibility, wind, where the casualty is, whether they are sea

New BrightonVolunteer Press Officer

I have never been a lifeboatman, I got involved with ‘New Brighton Lifeboat Station’ through a photographic project that I co-ordinated between ‘Wallasey Amateur Photographic Society’ (of which I am a long time member) and the ‘New Brighton Lifeboat Station’.

state or tide state. This proves very relevant if on a dropping tide, we must ask ourselves a series of questions will the lifeboat be able to reach the casualty? Would our hovercraft be the better option? Do we launch both? The pagers are then triggered, and in this case a message goes out ‘Launch ILB’.

I grab my photo gear, notebook and car keys and by the time I get to

the station (approx 10 minutes from home) the boat will be on its way.

The crew who live or work nearer would have got to the station, kitted up in ‘huggy bear’ undersuit ,dry suit, lifejacket, and a helmet in less than 60 seconds [ it took last years Mayor of Wirral - Alan Jennings 4mins 33secs to put on the same, the attire at the launch of our £50k ‘Crew Training & Equipment Appeal’ earlier this year – so it takes practice.

A helmsman and a crew of three are selected from whoever gets there first. In addition to a tractor driver and beach crew of two or three.

Its about ¼ mile drive to the normal launch point. The duty officer would pass on whatever info they had received so far to helmsman battery chargers etc. disconnected, tractor kicks into life, doors opened, extra kits which are needed are grabbed, the crew pile on board, the traffic lights outside set to red, there are on their way – blues and two’s flashing, beach crew (who are in the the four wheel drive Toyota) follow.Full

information of what they are to face is still limited. The boat is equipped with radar, radio

and RDF (radio direction finding) - The radio operator establishes communication with the Liverpool Coastguard to get a fuller picture of the ‘shout’, helmsman starts the engines – to get them warmed up a bit before launch. I arrive at the slipway just as they get there, the seas fairly calm and the light is good, worth a photo for the record so I grab my camera and get a couple of frames off as our rapid response

RNLI

FEATURE RNLI

THE CREW WHO LIvE OR WORK NEARER WOULD HAvE GOT TO THE STATION, KITTED UP IN ‘HUGGY

BEAR’ UNDERSUIT ,DRY SUIT, LIFEjACKET, HELMET IN LESS THAN 60 SECONDS

Bob Warwick

RNLI

New Brighton

Volunteer Press Officer


RNLI FEATURE

‘Atlantic 85’ inshore lifeboat B-837 Charles Dibdin hits the water and is away to sea.

Beach crew Andy and Darren along with Warbo (our tractor driver today) complete the launch and I meet them on the beach with ‘What’s the shout?’ - Warbo responds, ‘Casualty with crush injury to leg, on yacht out in the Crosby channel’

Back at the station to monitor progress – Cliff the LOM (Lifeboat Operations Manager) greets me with extra data - ‘23 foot yacht with crew of 5, about 7 miles out in Crosby channel (showing me position on the chart) crew is Mark on helm, Tim, Ian and Matt. Weather conditions were good with a calm sea, light wind and good visibility.

Time for a brewThe radio reports that the lifeboat has reached the yacht – Matt and Ian have gone on board to stabilise the casualty. In a short time we hear that they are on their way back with the casualty on board and an ambulance has been called to meet the boat at New Brighton beach. I better get down there, grab some pics and interview the crew and see if there is anything I can report on and if so get the story out.

In the past people in the locality used

to hear the maroons being fired and knew that the lifeboat had gone out.

Now electronic pagers and a call out have become a far more stealthy operation. Now that the world is awash with data so that makes it is ever more important to tell the stories to as wide of an audience as possible using as many means as possible.

The ‘RNLI’ is a charity reliant on donations to exist and on its volunteers to carry out a 24/7 highly professional rescue service.

Notebook outCapture the story, grab the footage off the on-board video camera to see if there is any worthwhile footage and possibly stills - talk to my press contacts informing them that there is a story on the way and then dash home and pull things together

Meanwhile, the crew refuel the lifeboat, wash the whole rig down, replace materials used and get it ready for the next ‘shout’ before they can return to home or work.

Quote from my subsequent news release on the day’s events:

RNLI Volunteer Helmsman; Mark Harding, in charge of the Charles Dibdin, reported that ‘On arrival at

Press Centre The news release goes onto the RNLI Press Centre on www.rnli.org.uk where it can be downloaded along with photographs and any video footage from the on-board camera. All the news releases for the station including this one are on: www.rnli.org.uk/rnli_near_you/north/stations/NewBrightonMer-seyside

the scene, we found the 23ft yacht about seven miles out from New Brighton and were able to pull alongside without difficulty. Two of our crew, Matt Gill and Ian Holgate, transferred to the yacht to assist the casualty. They found that the casualty was conscious, in pain and with an open fracture of the right foot. They immobilised the injury with fracture straps and within minutes he was transferred to the lifeboat. We returned to New Brighton where, with the assistance of several

more of our volunteers, we carefully transferred him to a waiting ambulance and into the care of paramedics. The casualty was subsequently taken to Arrow Park, Hospital.

The extensive first aid training that our volunteer crews undergo kicked in and as a result the whole operation went very smoothly. We hope he makes a rapid recovery.’

We are one of the busiest stations in the North and this was not our most dramatic rescue this year, nor were sea conditions particularly difficult but it helps illustrate what’s involved on a typical rescue, if there is such a thing.

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A few weeks later I spoke to the casualty - he is making a good recovery and indebted to the smooth professional way our guys dealt with the situation.

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity works with families who have a child with a terminal or life-threatening illness. We provide emotional and practical support to families from diagnosis, through treatment and after the child has died, for as long as the family needs it. Our support is free of charge to the family, and can include the sick child, their parents, their siblings and other family members.

Rainbow Trust’s founder, Bernadette Cleary first began working with a family of a dying child in 1981. She was asked for help by a close friend whose 12-year-old daughter, Rachel, had terminal cancer and wished to die at home, not in a hospital. Through sheer perseverance and persistence, she was able to give Rachel her dying wish. Rachel was visited at home by a consultant, something that was unheard of in 1981. Bernadette was there to offer emotional support and comfort mother and daughter as Rachel died.

Word got out, and within months, she had more requests for help than she could ever cover on her own. She travelled across the country, trying to visit as many families as she could. In 1986 Rainbow Trust was set up in the shed at the bottom of her garden. With immense support from family and friends she managed to raise the money needed to fund the training of Family Support Workers to help more families like Rachel’s.

In this, our 25th Anniversary year, we currently help 1,170 families each year. We tailor the support that is offered to families, according to their specific needs. Our support can be anything from taking families to and from hospital, attending appointments, looking after the sick child and or their siblings or doing household chores. We are also there to talk to the sick child, their parents or siblings, helping them to talk about their concerns and fears.

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Anisah has bone cancer. She has had to spend long periods of time in hospital away from her brothers and sisters. “Linda is great with Anisah and understands that she wants to be out seeing the world after being cooped up in hospital and has the energy that I just don’t have after a

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There are many ways in which you can support us:There are many ways in which you can support us:

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Rainbow Ad spread Nov 2011.indd 1-2 08/11/2011 15:03

FEATURE MORECROFTS


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is cheaper, since only one mediator is involved, so you share the fees. If you are interested in a mediated approach then do contact Carole Brennan or myself.

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We care about our Clients and we want to give our Clients the best service we can at a competitive price. We are able to give you fixed quotes if again that is appropriate.

We have found that the recession has had curious side effects. Statistics show that for the past two years, the recession has had the unintended consequence of couples deciding not to separate because they reckon there is just not enough money to go round. However, now the recession seems bedded in and there appears to be no daylight at the end of the tunnel couples are now deciding that they have to live apart because they really cannot stand being together any longer.

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FEATURE NORTH WEST CANCER RESEARCH FUND

My grandmother Evelyn was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1980. She had a full

hysterectomy and chemotherapy but despite going through the mill with all this treatment and surgery, nothing was ever discussed.

My mum Jacqueline recalled that thirty years ago nothing gynecological was ever mentioned outside of the doctor’s surgery. There was this underlying perception that anything affecting ‘down there’ was related to something sexual. You were best keeping it to yourself and dealing with it - the typical British ‘stiff upper lip’.

Treatment 30 years ago was not as advanced as it is today so my grandmother’s survival rate was poor and sadly she died a year after diagnosis, aged 60. Whilst she never discussed any signs or symptoms, my mum and I did recall that her stomach became very swollen before diagnosis.

In September 2005 my mum Jacqueline, 59 at the time, went in for a routine scan at Warrington Hospital as she was experiencing some abdominal pain.

We didn’t think it was anything serious. After all, how many conditions have abdominal pain as a symptom? IBS, ulcers, allergies, food intolerances… the list goes on.

I remember sitting in the waiting room for her when she came out to get me because the doctor wanted to speak to her about the scan but did not want her to be on her own.

COMPLETELY UNExPECTED We were told that there was a mass on one of her ovaries and there was a strong possibility that it could be malignant. She was advised to have a full hysterectomy and removal of the ovaries. I can remember going to tell my dad. I think all of us were in denial that there could possibly be anything wrong.

Following consultations with both an oncologist and a gynaecologist, my mum was booked in to have her operation in October 2005 followed by a course of chemotherapy.

She lost her hair and had some problems with her joints and feet as well as being diagnosed with type two diabetes on top of everything else she had gone through.

My mum was so completely positive about everything. She saw the chemo as just a way of sweeping up any rogue cancerous cells - catching any ‘dandelion seeds’ that may have scattered. She never, ever complained and dealt with everything that was thrown at her.

“The only time I can remember her crying was when she had to go and get her wig.”

She went into a card shop after the fitting to buy my dad a Christmas card and just started weeping. She thought that this would be the last card she would buy for him.

Over Christmas, my mum had a scan, which showed that the tumour was shrinking. It was the best news we could have hoped for.

In Spring 2006, a further scan revealed that the chemotherapy had

worked. What a fantastic feeling!My mum had always been really

creative and took to making hand made cards and selling them for a local charity called ‘North West Cancer Research Fund’ to give something back.

Unlike my grandmother, my mum gave talks about her experiences but always tried to make them humourous. She discussed the ‘rotten disease’ and

spread awareness about its symptoms, but it was never depressing.

As mum recovered, we began to discuss as a family the possibility that there was a hereditary link – we noticed various similarities between both my mother’s and my grandmothers symptoms.

As a precaution, we booked appointments with the genetics department at a local hospital.

As well as taking our family history both looking at my mum’s and my dad’s family. I had a CA125 blood test. This is the only biomarker currently

Jacqueline Spence passed away from ovarian cancer on 30th December 2010. Before she left she made sure her family were tested for the ovarian cancer gene. This will forever be her legacy. Her daughter Janet tells their amazing story.


My Mum saved our family

Janet and Jaqueline Spence

THE ONLY TIME I CAN REMEMBER HER CRYING WAS WHEN SHE HAD TO GO AND GET HER WIG.


NORTH WEST CANCER RESEARCH FUND FEATURE

available for Ovarian Cancer detection and even then it is not completely efficient.

The higher the reading, the higher the chance of ovarian cancer. Mum’s reading had been really high. My results, although nowhere near as high as my mum’s, were raised. I was extremely anxious, it was just one further blow on top of everything else.

I met with a consultant gynaecological surgeon and oncologist to discuss my options.

“He gave me all the facts: I could have my ovaries removed or I could go for a full precautionary hysterectomy.”

All this based on my high risk factor of developing the disease. It was a difficult decision.

Eventually I opted for the full surgery. My thoughts were that although the recovery period would be longer, the long-term peace of mind was worth it. I couldn’t go through what my mum had a few years before.

I had the surgery in March 2007, aged 38. Although the resulting biopsy found no cancer. I firmly believe that it was the right decision. I will never have that nagging feeling at the back of my mind and I can get on with my life without the constant worry.

There followed a period of two years where my mum was fit and well. She had regular appointments with the oncologist who remained positive about her health. He used to call her his ‘star’.

However, over Christmas and New Year in 2008/09 she began to get some more pains in her stomach. She met with the oncologist who gave her another scan. The cancer had returned, this time in her stomach, although it was still classed as ovarian cancer as it was a secondary tumour.

We were devastated when he told us that the tumour was inoperable.

After almost two and a half years we thought we were home and dry. A second course of chemotherapy was

unsuccessful. The oncologist tried her on a different type of treatment costing the NHS £5,000 per treatment.

Mum was really positive. She did not believe that she would be given this expensive treatment if the doctors did not think it was worthwhile.

However, mum was having severe side effects and it was really taking its toll on her. It was decided to withdraw the treatment and let her body rest.

The doctors believed that her body was turning against the treatment and it was actually doing her more harm than good. Although often in pain she led a relatively normal life for about a year controlling the pain with painkillers.

She passed away peacefully on 30th December 2010.

My mum never once believed she was going to die. She remained completely positive throughout the whole five year experience. She was completely honest and open with the whole family about the disease, sharing her story to raise money and awareness about ovarian cancer.

I have three daughters, my brother has a daughter, my mum has a sister

and a niece.

HER LEGACY IS OUR HEALTH As a family we have always been completely honest and open about the disease and its consequences. I will encourage my girls to be vigilant for possible signs and symptoms.

They may have to make certain lifestyle choices as a result, for example, having their own children earlier because they know they might have to face this in their late 30s.

Although this is horrible to think about, my mum has left us forewarned and forearmed.

Through her passing we are able spread the word, like she did, about the symptoms and dangers of ovarian cancer, especially the hereditary gene than can be carried by both males and females.

Janet is supporting the work of ‘North West Cancer Research Fund’, a charity that provides grants to support fundamental research into the causes of cancer in the North West of England and Wales.

Alongside being one of the oldest independent charities in the North West, ‘North West Cancer Research Fund’ is also one of the most economical charities with an average of 90p from every £1 going directly into research.

HE GAvE ME ALL THE FACTS: I COULD HAvE MY OvARIES REMOvED OR I COULD GO FOR A FULL PRECAUTIONARY HYSTERECTOMY.

Text OvRY00 £5 to 70070 to donate now!

This Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month (March 2012) why not hold an

It could be an O-very Good Night or an O-very Fancy Dress Night, an O-very Sober Night or an O-very Sloshed Night or even an O-very Chocolaty Night!

The theme is completely up to you! All we ask is that you raise awareness of Ovarian Cancer and if you happen raise some

money at the same time you could help us fund more research into this awful disease.To download your O-Very Night pack, with all you need to kick start your event, go to

www.nwcrf.co.uk.In the mean time if you would like more information please contact us at

[email protected] or call 0151 709 2919

The O-very Campaign launched by North West Cancer Research Fund is an awareness drive to make more women oh so very aware of Ovarian Cancer, its symptoms and the predispositions amongst men and women.

For all the latest news follow @OveryNWCRF on Twitter

Every year more than

6500 Women

are diagnosed

with Ovarian Cancer

and every year over

4400 Women die from Ovarian

Cancer

PROFILE COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDER

Tell us about your career with the ‘Lancashire Fire Service’.From an early age, I knew I didn’t want a boring job and in my final year of school, I was told about the Fire Service and what they do. From that point, I knew it was the job for me. However, when I was told I had to be 18, I undertook various, boring jobs until I reached that age. I joined the service in November 1978, working in my hometown Blackburn and later moving on to Accrington and Nelson. In 2005, I changed direction and managed a specialist Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), Team which was one of the highlights of my career.

How did you hear of the Community First Responder Scheme?I became involved and worked with the ‘North West Ambulance Service’ when they were establishing their HART (Hazardous Area Response Team), drawing up working practices between the two organisations. Through this work, I was aware that ‘Community First Responder’ schemes were being set up in communities throughout the North West. Around October 2009, whilst I was responding to a road traffic collision, I bumped into a Community First Responder Manager. We had a brief chat and although I still had 12 months before retirement, our chat planted a seed.

What made you decide you wanted to be a Community First Responder?I have always loved helping people and knew that once I had retired, I wouldn’t be able to sit back and relax. Being a ‘Community First Responder’ fits around my home life perfectly as I can respond as and when suits me. I get to meet lots of different people from patients to other CFRs to other healthcare professionals.

Nick IsherwoodNorth West Ambulance

Service’s Community First Responders

Nick Isherwood, aged 50, is a retired fire officer who worked for ‘Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service’ for over 30 years. Now volunteering as one of North West Ambulance Service’s Community First Responders, Nick talks to Community Guardians magazine to tell his story.


Become a Community First ResponderAnyone interested in becoming a Community First Responder or would like to find out more call 0845 0021 999 or write to CFR Department, North West Ambulance Service, 449 - 451 Garstang Road, FREEPOST PR1102, Preston, PR3 5BR or visit www.nwas-responders.com.

Nick IsherwoodWho are we?‘North West Ambulance Service Community First Responder Scheme’ – Community First Responder’s (CFRs) are groups of volunteers who live and work in local communities. They are trained and activated by the ‘North West Ambulance Service’ to attend certain emergency calls, where time can made the difference between life and death. The responder provides care and reassurance until the ambulance arrives, which is usually a few minutes later.

Interview: Robert Griffiths

PROOF


COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDER PROFILE

BEING A COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDER FITS AROUND MY HOME LIFE PERFECTLY AS I CAN RESPOND AS AND WHEN SUITS ME. I GET TO MEET LOTS OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE FROM PATIENTS TO OTHER CFRS TO OTHER HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

Wigan Leisure Lifesavers honoured

Have you any memorable incidents?My very first job always sticks in my mind. I was given a call out to a lady who was suffering from chest pains and when I arrived, which was only a few minutes before the paramedics arrived, the look of relief on the husband’s face that someone was there to help was memorable. Whist his wife was being treated by the paramedics, I chatted with the husband and helped him get organised to travel to hospital. The appreciation this gentleman showed me for what I had done for him, not necessarily his wife, confirmed that I was doing a valuable thing for the community I live in.

In June 2010, a 15-year-old boy’s life was dramatically saved when he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest whilst at in the gym at Hindley Leisure Centre in Wigan.

Thanks to the quick actions of trained staff and a public Automated External Defibrillator (AED) machine - which was placed there two years ago as part of the Community Resuscitation Scheme and spearheaded by the North West Ambulance Service - the youngster has since recovered. Patrick Horrocks, 15 of Hindley, Wigan was using the cross trainer when he suddenly collapsed. Fitness Instructor, Nick Hill immediately rushed to Patrick’s aid. Unfortunately, Patrick had stopped breathing so Nick commenced CPR and instructed his colleague, Dave Collins, to call an ambulance

and get the AED machine. Dave, the Duty Supervisor, immediately

placed the AED on Patrick as instructed by the machine itself and it delivered a shock. Following this Patrick started to breathe and regain consciousness. By the time the paramedic crew arrived, Patrick was sat up, fully conscious, breathing but very confused. He was later diagnosed with a genetic heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

David McNally, Community Resuscitation Manager, for the North West Ambulance Service said, “This incident highlights the importance of quick intervention when an individual goes into cardiac arrest and supports NWAS’s aim to have AED’s placed in all public areas where there is an increased risk of cardiac arrest. In some cases it really is matter or life and death and we are proud to say a life of a young man was saved by our initiative.

The quick and effective action taken by Nick and Dave inspired David to nominate the pair for the SADS UK National Lifesaver Defibrillator

Awards which were held on 22 October 2011. SADS were delighted to honour both Nick and Dave for the efforts. ‘SADS UK’ is a national cardiac charity aiming to save lives through raising awareness of symptoms that may indicate a person has a cardiac condition and the providing cardiac equipment in the community.

Anne Jolly, founder of SADS UK says, “We were delighted to hear about this life save in the community and the lifesaving award was richly deserved by Nick and David. Their quick action and coordinated approach using lifesaving skills and the defibrillator at ‘Wigan Leisure Centre’ gave Patrick the best chance of survival.”

CHARITy FEATURE COPS

In 2011, eleven Police Officers and one PCSO lost their lives while on duty in the United Kingdom. Of those, nine officers were killed in road traffic collisions, (seven involving motorcycles). Two officers died of natural causes and one, Ronan Kerr of PSNI was murdered by terrorists. Between them they left seventeen children.


In the immediate aftermath of the death of a serving officer the support from the police service is usually excellent, but sadly they do

not have the resources in most cases to maintain that support beyond the first few weeks. It takes six to twelve months for the reality of bereavement to hit home and three to five years for life to return to a resemblance of

COPS

normality, this is where ‘Care of Police Survivors’ comes in. COPS is a registered charity dedicated to providing support to the families of police officers who have lost their lives on duty. Formed in 2003, by Christine Fulton MBE, the widow of murdered Strathclyde officer Lewis Fulton and retired detective Jim McNulty, the charity is unique in that it is run primarily by survivors for survivors. They are the only ones who know how it feels and are able to look another survivor in the eye and say “I understand”. COPS provides a shoulder to

cry on, someone to listen and reassurance that the emotions they are experiencing are normal. Regular weekends away for spouses, parent’s, children and siblings give them a chance to relax and spend time in the company of other survivors, something that is better than anything a doctor could prescribe. The main event of the year is the Service of Remembrance, which is held at the ‘National Memorial Arboretum’ in Staffordshire. Survivors come from all across the UK to remember their loved ones in the company of senior officers and invited guests. All serving and retired officers and their families are welcome to attend, details of the 2012 service can be found on the web site. The charity relies almost entirely on donations and the sale of their merchandise to continue their work. If you can help, please visit the web site or telephone 0844 893 2055 for more information. All donations are gratefully received and acknowledged.

IT TAKES SIx TO TWELvE MONTHS FOR THE REALITy OF bEREAvEMENT TO HIT HOME ANd THREE TO FIvE yEARS FOR LIFE TO RETURN TO A SEMbLANCE OF NORMALITy, THIS IS WHERE CARE OF POLICE SURvIvORS COMES IN.

www.ukcops.org

www.facebook/ukcops@uk_cops

care of police survivors

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PROFILE RESCUE CO-ORDINATION CENTRE MANAGER

BrownName and ageColin Brown, 55 years old.

About you (when joined).Having served 24 years in the Royal Navy, 21 of which were in the ‘Submarine Service’, I left the Navy in 1996. Looking for a complete change of direction I worked in the Offshore Industry for a period of time before joining H.M. Coastguard in 1998 at Forth Coastguard in Crail, Fife. I moved to Liverpool Coastguard in 2002 on promotion.

job titleMy job title is Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre Manager.

Professional background/qualificationsMy professional background is in communications, both Military and commercial from VHF through the entire frequency spectrum to SHF data transfer. I hold a ‘Global Maritime Distress’ and S’ea Safety General Operators Certificate’ (GMDSS GOC) and an ‘MCA certificated Coast Station Operators Certificate’ (CSOC)/CSOC examiner. Trained and qualified to act as the Search Mission Co-ordinator (SMC), I and my staff have

the authority to request and task a whole range of resources such as Search and Rescue Helicopters, RNLI Lifeboats and if necessary Commercial Shipping.

Main base/locationWe are based in MRCC Liverpool in Blundellsands, Crosby, Liverpool with our headquarters being located in Southampton.

Area of OperationsThe area of operations for MRCC Liverpool extends from the Point of Ayre in North Wales up to the Mull of Galloway in Southwest Scotland. Responsibility also rests with us for the Isle of Man and the four main lakes in the English Lake District. This equates to 12,000 square miles of sea area and 1,800 miles of coastline. The ‘Oil and Gas Platforms’ in Liverpool Bay and Morecambe Bay, along with the Offshore Renewable Energy Installation’s also come under our remit. This is accomplished with 22 full time staff and approx 186 part time, volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers. Main dutiesThe main duties are the “Initiation and co-ordination of all Civil Maritime Search and Rescue within the “UK Search and Rescue Region”.

(Approx 1000 miles into the Atlantic) This includes mobilising, organising and tasking resources to respond to persons either in distress at sea or to persons at risk of injury or death on the cliffs and coastline of the UK. We also have a major role to play in ‘Counter Pollution and Salvage’ and engage fully with our partner organisations in respect of local resilience forums to fulfil our obligations as a Category 1 Responder under ‘Civil Contingencies’.

How many shouts/call outs/jobs per month or year?MRCC Liverpool average 1920 incidents per annum which makes us the third busiest coastguard station in the United Kingdom.

Type of call outs you getIncidents vary in size and complexity and could be something as simple as a stranded whale or as complex as a commercial vessel running aground in a storm or major flooding in Cumbria. The staff in the MRCC are

Colin Brown

Rescue Co-ordination Centre Manager

MRCC Liverpool

Colin invited me to the Liverpool Headquarters in Blundellsands, to meet the team and have a look around the ‘Operations Centre’. I was quite surprised to learn the sheer expanse of area they are responsible for and the level oftraining that the ‘Ops Centre Staff’ go through to be ready for active duty. Colin told me a little about himself and his background:


THE AREA OF OPERATIONS FOR MRCC LIvERPOOL ExTENDS FROM

THE POINT OF AYRE IN NORTH WALES UP TO THE MULL OF GALLOWAY

IN SOUTHWEST SCOTLAND.

Interview: Robert Griffiths


H.M. COASTGUARD PROFILE

trained to expect the unexpected and think outside the box. If it can happen then it most likely will.

Which other services get involved?We engage fully with our partner organisations during incident working and have a very healthy working relationship with colleagues in the Police, Fire and Ambulance service. As our area is so vast we engage with eight ‘Police Forces’ and eight ‘Fire & Rescue Services’. We also work closely with colleagues in the ‘Search and Rescue Helicopter Force’ who are co-ordinated from RAF Kinloss in Morayshire, Scotland. The ‘Royal National Lifeboat Institution’ is another of our dedicated resources. There are also a host of additional resources that we can call upon to assist us in our function.

Anything you don’t like about the job (optional answer if you don’t want) or anything you would like

On joining H.M. Coastguard, as a Watch Assistant (CWA), all staff

are required to undertake a training course known as ‘Maritime Search and Rescue Foundation’ (MSAR(F)) and complete an associated workbook. Successful completion of the workbook and course is a prerequisite to you being offered a substantive post within the organisation.

The training programme requires that two visits are undertaken to the ‘Maritime & Coastguard Agency Training Centre’ in Highcliffe Dorset, one of

two weeks and one of one weeks duration, with the remainder of the course being undertaken at your parent station. Self-study is a huge part of the work required and the assistance of your qualified watch colleagues, when they are available, is of profound importance. As well as undertaking the workbook aspect, Local knowledge of your operational area must also be garnered to enable you to become a fully functioning and contributing member of your watch. Local knowledge is not just limited to geographical locations but much more. A good ‘Operations Room’, team member will also have knowledge of which vessels use which ports, who the managers of the local RNLI lifeboats are, where partner agencies have their locations and which counties within

the district have nuclear power stations located in their boundaries.

There are subtle differences between the Operations Team in the ‘Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre’ and those of colleagues in partner agencies. Unlike Police/Fire or Ambulance colleagues, once a ‘Coastguard Operator’ receives a call and takes the information, they follow it through to the end. The Ops Team will take the call, assimilate the information and decide on the action to take. Once that decision is made they will then contact and task

the chosen resource(s), which may not necessarily be the closest but will be the most appropriate for the task at hand. It is then the responsibility of the Ops Team to co-ordinate the actions and movement of the chosen resource, whilst also being responsible for the safety and well-being of the crew. Resources available can be units from the Police, Fire Engines or Specialist Rescue Teams, Ambulances or the Hazardous Area Response Teams, Search and Rescue Helicopters, Merchant Vessels or even Cruise Liners.

As you can see, the responsibilities upon our staff are immense but with the correct training, support of their colleagues and support from our partner agencies, the casualty is given the best possible service and the best chance of being rescued.

to see changed?A definite down side to the job is when someone loses their life despite our best efforts. It is often said that you can’t win them all, but it doesn’t stop us trying to do so.

What are the best things about you’re job and the things that you enjoy? I think the best part of the job is the extremely close links that we have with our ‘Volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers’. Their pagers go off and no matter what time of the day or night it is they are willing to respond to serve their communities and assist the general public. I also enjoy the feeling of satisfaction that we get when the team have done everything they can and used every tool in the box available to them, the incident has a happy outcome and the vessel is saved or the child is found and returned to their parents. That is what makes this job worthwhile and gives a feeling of satisfaction for a job well done.

THE OPS TEAM WILL TAKE THE CALL, ASSIMILATE THE INFORMATION ANd

dECIdE ON THE ACTION TO TAKE.

H.M. CoastguardOperations Room Staff

FEATURE NHS WIRRAL

NHS Wirral is this year asking for your help in promoting a national message locally to reduce the burden on in-demand services such as Wirral’s A&E department and other Emergency Services.


Using the Choose Well message, NHS Wirral has produced a series of leaflets and posters with local

service information about self care, pharmacies and walk in centres in a bid to get more people to choose the appropriate method of treatment for their illness or condition. NHS Wirral would like people to think again before they present at A&E with conditions that can be dealt with using over the counter

Help the NHS to encourage people to

Choose wellthis winter!

Fiona johnstoneDirector of Public Health

Fiona Johnstone, Director of Public Health for Wirral said: “Taking care of yourself is very important during the winter months. Changes in weather and temperatures often mean otherwise healthy people fall ill during this time of year. If you’re not familiar with the NHS services on offer, it’s often hard to know what to do for the best. We’re asking people to take the time to choose the right service for their health complaint. “The Choose Well campaign, backed by NHS teams across Wirral and the North West, aims to make people aware of the range of services available on their doorstep to help with minor illnesses and injuries. The way the information has been provided means that households should have access to local health service details at home and on the go. “We’re asking for our partners’ help in spreading this message to make sure the emergency services are there for those that desperately need them.”

remedies and self care, in a bid to reduce costs to A&E – which for a person who is discharged without needing treatment is £124. Members of the public will be made aware of the campaign and signposted to local services by a

host of materials that have been developed by NHS Wirral. These include posters, leaflets, tea towels, mousemats and magnets that can be kept in the home for information. QR codes that when scanned link directly to the NHS Wirral website have been developed and put on posters throughout Wirral to make it easier for people to access vital local health information on the go from their mobile phones.

NHS WIRRAL WOULd LIKE PEOPLE TO THINK AgAIN bEFORE THEy TURN UP AT A&E WITH CONdITIONS THAT COULd bE dEALT WITH USINg OvER THE COUNTER REMEdIES ANd SELF CARE, IN A bId TO REdUCE COSTS TO A&E ANd FREE UP STAFF TO dEAL WITH REAL EMERgENCIES

Wirral’s Top 5 most inappropriate calls for an ambulance:

5 Toothache4 Constipation3 Feeling unwell after eating a kebab2 Bitten by a guinea pig1 Need a lift to hospital

Fiona johnstoneDirector of Public Health

Our clothing speaks volumes; we all make judgements about people based on their appearance. We do it all the

time; there is an expectation for you to look a certain way, a police officer, doctor or a nurse etc. It’s something we do for other people so that they trust us.

Just think- How do you expect an Image Consultant to look? Professional, credible, colourful, stylish, current or even slightly different?

You don’t wear a uniform all the time, in fact some of you won’t be required to wear a uniform for work at all, so you’ll need a capsule wardrobe for work. My aim is to improve your visual presentation in and out of work. I’m passionate about getting you to look and feel your best all of the time whatever the event or the occasion.

To achieve this you will need to invest in a ‘House of Colour Journey’.

The once only ‘House of Colour Journey’ consists of two steps.

Step one. We identify all the colours which make you look well and healthy. You know that some colours

So why would YOU choose to see an Image Consultant?Wearing a uniform for work provides you with that professional appearance which is absolutely necessary for the public to have confidence and trust in you as a Community Guardian.

look better on you than others. Let me show you, using precision dyed drapes, whether you need cool or warm colours and whether these should be bright or muted.

At the end of your colour analysis you will have a clear understanding of which colours make you look well and healthy and which ones don’t. You will also receive a workbook and a leather wallet containing all your precision dyed swatches in it to take away.

Step two is similar to a Gok Wan; we look at your body shape, your body geometrics and what your lifestyle entails. We need to understand what clothes you need for your lifestyle. We also need to understand ‘who you are’ on the inside. We look at all this information and discover ‘how’ you should present yourself, what works and what doesn’t.

We’ve all seen someone in a great outfit and tried to replicate it – it doesn’t work, does it? That’s because the garment had nothing to do with us, but everything to do with the person we saw wearing it.

At the end of your personal style class, you will know which garments work for you, how you want to be perceived and how you can achieve this.

You will know about capsule wardrobes, the rules of professional dress, when to shop, how to shop, what to look for… the list goes on.

At the end of your ‘House of Colour Journey’ you will look better, feel better

To book a House of Colour

class or to purchase a

Gift Voucher, please

contact me on...

01244 336383

[email protected]

about the way you look, save money and time. You’ll also be more focused when shopping, make better decisions and build a wardrobe that actually works for your unique lifestyle.

Garments will mix and match and you will create a more interesting look. You’ll be able to build a capsule wardrobe and see how a few garments

can create the maximum number of outfits.

Having your colours and style analysed isn’t about looking like something you’re not, it’s about allowing you to honour who you are and look the best you can. There’s so much choice out there, how do you know what to

buy and if its right for you? It’s easy. Your one off investment

of £250 will provide you with all the information you need to create your capsule wardrobe unique to your individual lifestyle.

If you would like some help, got a

coming up; I would like you to call me for a free telephone consultation.

THERE IS AN ExPECTATION FOR A POLICE OFFICER

TO LOOK A CERTAIN WAY, A DOCTOR

OR A NURSE. IT`S SOMETHING WE DO FOR OTHER PEOPLE

SO THAT THEY TRUST US.

Out of uniform

For a special first edition

10% discount quote

“Community Guardians magazine”This offer expires 29th March 2012.

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To book a House of Colour Journey or to purchase a Gift Voucher or request a Free guide, please contact me on

01244 336383or email [email protected]

FEATURE HOUSE OF COLOUR

question or if you have a special occasion


FEATURE LANCASHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE

On the 23rd September 2010, ‘Lancashire Fire and Rescue Fire Safety Specialists’ were alerted to possible fire hazards in upper storey flats at 16 Lune Street, Preston.


LandLord and company fined for

Fire safetyshortfalls

“Sadly, it is sometimes the case that sleeping accommodation is provided without landlords having considered the fire safety provisions which need to be put in place. In our constant drive to make Lancashire safer, our fire safety enforcement teams are actively seeking out such premises.

“I hope that the outcome of this particular case sends a clear message that fire safety is a priority issue that should always be addressed before tenants are accommodated.”

“In this instance the consequences of the inappropriate fire safety measures could have led to serious injury or loss of life and circumstances left us no option but to take this action.”

“Landlords and other businesses can be assured that we will continue to support them in complying with the ‘Fire Safety Order’ and anybody seeking assistance in understanding the requirements of the law can contact their local fire safety department for advice via our website.

“However, as this case illustrates, while we will always work with those willing to address fire safety issues, where unnecessary risks are being taken or management responsibilities flouted, we will not hesitate to take enforcement action.”

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Paul Richardson concludes

Coat hangers on alarm wires

THE SHORTFALLS IN FIRE SEPARATION bETWEEN THE SHOP PREMISES ANd THE UPPER FLOORS WOULd HAvE ENAbLEd A

FIRE TO SPREAd UNCHECKEd THROUgHOUT THE WHOLE OF THE bUILdINg.

They visited the premises and identified a number of breaches of fire safety legislation, to the extent

that they judged that the premises were so dangerous that people living there would be in grave danger in the event of fire breaking out. Further breaches of fire regulations were found on inspection of the ground floor shops beneath the living accommodation on the first and second floors. The circumstances

found were so serious in presenting an imminent risk to life from fire, it became necessary to issue a formal notice, prohibiting the use of the first and second floor areas. The prohibition notice was issued to Mr Lee Pemberton, owner of ‘PemCo Investments Limited’, which had taken out the lease on the building and a prosecution case was subsequently brought against the company and the owner under the ‘Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order’, 2005. Mr Lee Pemberton has previously been prosecuted by ‘Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service’ for almost identical fire safety offences at separate premises in 2010. This is the first occasion that ‘Lancashire Fire and Rescue’ has had cause to prosecute an individual or company for a second time. At the recent hearing at Preston Magistrates’ Court, Mr Pemberton was fined £7000 with £500 costs and PemCo was fined £21,000 with £5520 costs.

Summary of the fire hazards foundThe two ground floor shops (both with basements) had large quantities of combustible materials in them, which if on fire would have caused significant fire development. The shortfalls in fire separation between the shop premises and the upper floors would have enabled a fire to spread unchecked throughout the whole of the building. There was no suitable fire detection system and the alarm system did not operate, so residents in the flats would not have had early warning of fire. Even if they were somehow alerted, their escape routes would have been dangerous because of inadequate emergency lighting and a staircase that was not protected from fire.

3

0161 336 0001 0161 336 6608

Specialist in the Domestic & Residential markets

FEATURE BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE

Metal thieves have caused misery for countless people across the country, whether it be

through stolen lead from roofs, stolen railway cable resulting in delays and cancellations or stolen power cable causing widespread power loss.

More than 10 people have also died in the past year as a result of metal theft.

Whatever the crime, the net result is the same – disruption to everyday life and severe cost to the local and national economy.

‘British Transport Police - Deputy Chief Constable’, Paul Crowther, ACPO lead for metal theft said “Metal theft in any form is a blight on society and sadly has been having a greater and

greater impact on communities in recent months.

“The railway has experienced significant issues for some time, but throughout 2011 we saw criminals diversifying and targeting metal from other areas including power cables, utilities pipework, telecommunications cabling, residential properties, businesses and even vehicles.

“All affected industries are working together to tackle the problem which has now become a significant threat to the infrastructure of the UK.

“We are all working to make life more difficult for thieves through target hardening, legislation and

Paul CrowtherDeputy Chief Constable

Metal theft in all its forms is an attack on our communities and a crime, that more and more, is coming onto the radar of emergency services. During the past 18 months, metal theft across the country – and across all industries – has rocketed, with 2011 seeing new records set for the level of thefts in all sectors.


Metal Theft

British Transport Police

Action to prevent and detect metal theft:• Liaise with site operators to

understand the potential for theft. Visit sites outside hours – a police presence can be a deterrent.

• Check for damaged fencing or gates – this could be the precursor to a theft.

• Work with scrap metal dealers in your area to prevent theft, remind them of their responsibilities and, if necessary, enforce powers under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964.

• Work with other agencies, such as the Environment Agency, local authority and Office of Rail Regulation, which have a shared interest in preventing metal theft.


BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE FEATURE

How can you help the fight against metal theft? What to look out for:• Discarded shredded plastic cable

sheathing in an alley, housing estate or warehouse could suggest a cable-stripping site. Thieves get more money for cable if they first strip off the plastic covering.

• Acrid black smoke is caused by attempts to burn off plastic cable covering. The fire service advises that “black smoke fires” are unusual and are worth investigating.

• Unmarked vehicles at construction sites, or work taking place outside normal hours – ask the local planning authority if you have suspicions.

• Non-uniform personnel on the railway.

• Unlocked gates to a building, construction or railway site.

stricter controls at the potential point of sale for the thieves – unscrupulous scrap metal dealers.

“Despite this there are still some criminals who are prepared to take risks to steal metal.”

Part of this activity sees BTP officers, together with other forces and a variety of partner agencies, visit scrap metal recyclers to further educate owners about what to look out for when people bring metal into their yards.

Through Neighbourhood Policing Units, advice is also given to residents and businesses on how to make their metal more secure and more difficult to steal. Roadside checks are also be

carried out to target those using the road network to transport stolen material.

Detective Inspector Andrea Rainey, BTP’s lead for metal theft in the North West added, “Our extensive work with scrap metal recyclers – working with the British Metals Recycling Association to bring in a voluntary code of conduct, educating dealers about the methods used by thieves and showing dealers what stolen metal could look like – has made life more difficult for thieves and we will continue this work to further frustrate criminals.

“But the thieves are still operating and we are aware that there are a

Andrea RaineyDetective Inspector

minority of metal recyclers operating in an unscrupulous manner. As such we will target those dealers who continue to flout the law and will use all legal means – as well as powers available to partner agencies – to clamp down on the thieves themselves.

“All police forces should now recognise the significance of metal theft and should be prepared to deal swiftly and firmly with those who seek to profit from the theft of metal.”

ALL AFFECTED INDUSTRIES ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM WHICH HAS NOW BECOME A SIGNIFICANT THREAT TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE UK

PROFILE CLIFF DOWNING

DowningName and ageCliff Downing, age 67

About you (when joined etc)I joined the ‘RNLI’ approx 40 years ago. I have been involved as crew for 20 year’s worked for the ‘RNLI’ within the ‘Fishing Safety’ and also the ‘Leisure Safety’, in a part time and full time position.

job titleAfter 4 years plus as the ‘Lifeboat Operations Manager’ for ‘New Brighton’ Lifeboat Station, I will be retiring from the post at the end of 2011.

Professional background/qualificationsI worked as a ‘Depot Manager’ for a Ford dealer for 23 years and a sales Manager for a Manufacture of liferafts and lifejackets.

What are the Main duties of the L.O.M?Main duties of the L.O.M. is to accept the call from the Coastguard and launch the appropriate rescue craft either the Lifeboat or Hover. The L.O.M. also has to take into account the weather, and what the call out may be, then a request for launch is sent out via a paging system. The lifeboat can be in the water within 13 minutes of the call from the Coastguard.

You’re geographical patch that you cover and how many staff are at New Brighton?The station at New Brighton has a ‘Fishing Safety’ and ‘Leisure Safety Division’, in an Atlantic 85 fast response boat and a Hover Craft we cover the Liverpool bay and as far south as Runcorn The number of crews

Cliff Downing

Lifeboat Operation

Manager

New Brighton

Lifeboat Station

We met at the ‘RNLI Station’, on the New Brighton seafront and I was shown around the Lifeboat, Hovercraft and other pieces of kit. Cliff came across as ‘RNLI’ through and through and he explained a little about himself:

Cliff Interview: Robert Griffiths

that our available at the station is 30 at this time. The station is one of the busiest in the North, with the total for 2011 being 55 call outs between the Hover and the Lifeboat.

How many shouts/call outs/jobs per month or year?The callouts are very varied ranging from persons cut off by the tide, medical evacuation from all types of vessels, mechanical breakdowns, accidents on leisure boats and commercial ships.

Which other services get involvedWe work with all the emergency

services, Coast Guard, Fire Rescue, Police, Ambulance.

The best things about your jobThe best part of the job is when the Boat or the Hover return to the station with the casualty some times it can be 10 min or as long as 4 hours.

The sad times are when they return having not found the person that may have been in the water.

THE BEST PART IF THE jOB IS WHEN THE BOAT OR THE HOvER RETURN TO THE STATION

WITH THE CASUALTY SOME TIMES IT CANBE 10 MINUTES OR 4 HOURS.


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‘The Anxiety Therapy Clinic’ provides specialised services to those suffering from any form of Anxiety, or Anxiety related disorders, aiding them to overcome their situations and move forwards positively in their lives.

the ‘Anxiety Therapy Clinic’.The Clinic in its present form was

founded by Edward Gunn, who, having been in private practice for many years as an ‘EFT Practitioner’, noticed significant rises in both private and company referred clients, suffering from Acute Anxiety or Anxiety related disorders and realised there was an ever growing need for a specialist ,dedicated service to aid these people in achieving solutions which release them from their anxiety prison.

Whilst providing specialist treatments for the more severe forms of Anxiety and related disorders

(Such as Panic attacks, PTSD, General Anxiety Disorder, Social Phobia etc’). The Clinic is also a resource for those suffering any form of anxiety, ranging from the person nervous about making an

important presentation or speech, to the person too anxious to use a lift; from exam or driving test nerves, to those suffering from Low Self Esteem or lack of confidence.

Any form of Anxiety, no matter how it is labelled or perceived, can have detrimental effects on a person’s life in many ways and for that reason treatments are offered for all forms of Anxiety, Anxiety related conditions and any other negative emotions.

Physical Conditions. Common Conditions.AnorexiaBulimiaAlcohol AbuseCravings for Alcohol, Food, TobaccoWeight LossPain Management

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Below are just some of the many problems which can be overcome using EmotionalFreedom Technique ( EFT)Emotional Conditions.CompulsionsLow Self EsteemExam NervesPanic attacksStressInsomniaSports EnhancementDriving NervesBlushingPhobiasJealousyFear of Public speakingSocial PhobiaAnger issuesGuiltObsessionsLack of confidenceAnxietyBereavementEmotional TraumaPoor MemorySexual ProblemsPTSDFear of DyingFear of the FutureGeneral Anxiety Disorder ( GAD )Seasonal Affective Disorder ( SAD)

Anxiety, commonly referred to as “Stress”, comes in many forms but has only one outcome: suffering.

Many Physical “Dis-eases” and their symptoms are rooted in Anxiety and many more are aggravated, or exacerbated by the presence of Anxiety. However long you have suffered you need suffer no more. Anxiety in whatever form, can be overcome, giving you back the control of your emotional wellbeing and your life. Better tomorrows are only a phone call away - ‘The Anxiety Therapy Clinic’ can help. Fast and effective treatments are available for Anxiety, Fears, Panic attacks, Phobias, PTSD, Destructive Habits and Behaviours, Addictions, Cravings and any negative emotion which is causing the onset of Anxiety , Stress or emotional discomfort.

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Merseyside Police has seen an increase in the number of people driving while under the influence of alcohol and drugs during its December ‘Drink and Drug Drive’ campaign, compared to the previous year.

Drink drive arrests increase

obvious dangers of combining driving with alcohol or drugs it is disappointing that a number of people chose to ignore the safety messages and get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol

or taking drugs. “While they represent a small minority of drivers, I cannot stress enough the danger that these people present to themselves and other road users. “Merseyside Police are committed to addressing drink and drug driving and these statistics reflect this commitment.

Although the figure represents an increase on last year’s arrests officers have carried out more tests than last year. “We now have more officers than ever trained to spot the signs

over the festive period

FEATURE MERSEYSIDE POLICE

WE NOW HAvE MORE OFFICERS THAN

EvER TRAINED TO SPOT THE SIGNS DISPLAYED

BY DRUG IMPAIRED DRIvERS AND WE WILL

CONTINUE TO TRAIN MORE OFFICERS.

THE PUBLIC CAN BE REASSURED THAT WE TAKE THIS ISSUE vERY

SERIOUSLY.

Chief Inspector

john Hogan

Roads Policing Dept

A total of 7,882 drivers were breathalysed by officers this festive period, with 176 motorists arrested for

being over the legal limit or failing to provide a specimen - an increase on the previous year’s figures of 7,850 drivers breathalysed and 119 arrested. Officers stopped a record number of vehicles and performed the highest amount of breath and drug impairment tests to date as part of its latest campaign. Of the 69 drugimpairment tests conducted by officers 19 arrests were made compared to 33 drivers tested for impairment in 2010, which led to 12 arrests. Chief Inspector John Hogan, head of ‘Roads Policing’ in Merseyside, said “Despite the


MERSEYSIDE POLICE FEATURE

displayed by drug impaired drivers and we will continue to train more officers. The public can be reassured that we take this issue very seriously, as can be seen by these statistics.”Out of the 176 motorists over the drink drive limit, 33 were arrested following a road traffic collision, with many of those collisions resulting in injury to themselves, other drivers and pedestrians. A total of 10 drivers were also arrested on Christmas Day.Proportionately, twice as many drivers under the age of 25 were arrested following a breath test as those aged over 25.

Chief Inspector Hogan added “This highlights the ignorance that a lot of younger drivers have with regard to drinking and driving. “We are committed to not just arresting these drivers but to educating them. Our officers visit schools and colleges throughout Merseyside to raise awareness of the issue of drink and drug driving and we will continue to work with

our road safety partners to provide information on this issue.” Merseyside Police will continue to focus on tackling illegal and dangerous driving throughout the year in an effort to reduce the number of people who are killed or seriously injured on the roads of Merseyside. Although the force holds dedicated drink and drug drive campaigns during the summer and at Christmas, officers conduct breath tests and impairment tests throughout the year. Any driver involved in a road traffic collision, or who commits any traffic offence, can expect to be breathalysed and may be required to perform an impairment test. Should they fail these tests the penalties can be severe.

OUR OFFICERS vISIT SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES THROUGHOUT MERSEYSIDE TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE ISSUE OF DRINK AND DRUG DRIvING.

All Images: Reconstruction of an RTC as part of a multi-agency exercise.

FEATURE SEA SAFETY

‘The Royal Yachting Association’ and the ‘Royal National Lifeboat Association’ are committed to saving lives at sea. ‘Sea Safety’ offers RYA/MCM, Small Boat Sea Survival Courses and First Aid for all that go to sea for pleasure or for work. Why not take advantage of this offer from £80 per head? The course is held in two parts, first the theory in a classroom then in the pool. With a liferaft you will find out first hand how difficult it is to enter a liferaft from the water wearing a lifejacket.

Sea SafetySalisbury Road

WallaseyMerseyside

CH459JJ

0151 639 5297079890808698

[email protected]

Sea safetySaving lives at sea.

can save your life so you should know all about your jacket. Has it got a crutch strap? Has it got a spray hood? Is it fitted with a light? Can you answer all of these questions? Why not ask Sea Safety? ‘Sea Safety’ can help you to purchase the right jacket for you. Lifejackets range from £30.

to £105.

May BE aLL EMERGEnCy PaTRoLS SHouLD CaRRy onE, THIS wouLD SToP THE RESCuER FRoM EnTERInG THE waTER. THE CoST FoR THE HoRSESHoE IS FRoM £66.

W e at ‘Sea Safety’ have been involved with marine safety for many years and work

with manufacturers to develop new ways to save lives, and this latest project is the ‘Inflatable Horseshoe’. The ‘Inflatable Horseshoe’ automaticaly inflates on impact with water, it also has an integral lifting strap so you can lift the person without any other equipment. Maybe all emergency patrols should carry one, this would stop the

rescuer from entering the water. The cost for the

Horseshoe is from £66. A lifejacket is the

last thing that


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PROFILE COLIN BROWN

The introduction of ‘101’ is part of a national programme to make it easier for the public of England

and Wales to contact police in a non-emergency, where an immediate police response is not required. From today, ‘101’ will replace the three force’s current non-emergency numbers, which are:

GMP .............................. 0161 872 5050Merseyside Police ........ 0151 709 6010Cheshire Constabulary .. 0845 458 0000

ACC Ian Hopkins from Greater Manchester Police said, “This is one of the biggest changes in the way people can contact the police since 999 was introduced in the 1940s. Having just two phone numbers – 101 for reporting a crime that has happened, getting advice or raising local policing issues – or 999 if it’s an emergency, makes calling your local force a lot easier. “Having a number that’s easier to

‘Greater Manchester Police’ (GMP), together with ‘Merseyside Police’ and ‘Cheshire Constabulary’, have launched (23rd November 2011) their new non-emergency police telephone number - ‘101’.

FEATURE GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE

New Police Non-Emergency Number Launches

Examples of non-emergency calls include: • If your car has been stolen. • Property damaged.• Reporting a minor traffic accident• Where you suspect drug use or dealing.• Giving police information about crime in your area. • Seeking advice, such as crime prevention or if you want to talk to a local officer.

If 101 is used and it is an emergency then it will be dealt with as an emergency call.Lancashire Constabulary are due to launch on 5 December and Cumbria Police on 12 December.

remember will not only make police more accessible to our communities, but also reduce the pressure on the 999 system, allowing us to attend the most urgent calls more effectively.” Calls to 101 will not change the way in which your local force responds to non-emergency calls as they will continue to be managed by their staff. For the first time, there will also be a single flat rate charge of 15 pence, no matter how long the duration of the call is, what time of day it is or whether the call is from a landline or a mobile phone. Operators can put calls through to the relevant force if it is about something that has happened in a different force area. However, the public are reminded to always call 999 in an emergency, where there is a threat to life or a crime in progress. The 101 number will be fully introduced across England and Wales by December 2011.

Facts and Figures (for the period 2010/11)

Nos of calls to 999GMP ..........................................514,661Merseyside ...............................264,329Cheshire ...................................118,963

Nos of calls to non-emergency numberGMP ...........................................909,149Merseyside ................................483,909Cheshire ....................................257,781

% of non-emergency calls to 999GMP ....................................... Over 75%Merseyside ............................ Over 70%Cheshire .........................................69%

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