Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service has been delivering road traffic safety presentations to the Royal Marines 30 Commando Troop based in Plymouth for the last three years. This year they demonstrated a Road Traffic Collision (RTC) involved three cars with two fire crews from Plympton fire station attending the exercise.
Plympton’s watch manager Neil Willmott explained: “Today is building on the partnership we already have established with 30 Commando Troop with the intention that the relationship will continue to grow. By demonstrating how we deal with an RTC we aim to reduce the current trend on the amount of service personnel being involved in road traffic incidents.
“This trend occurs in particular when serving personnel return from deployment and for various reasons, while travelling in the UK are being involved in RTCs. The Marines take a lot of risks in their day job and it’s important to keep them safe when they are home. That’s why we’re here. We are really grateful to the 30 Commando for their support. “
Statistics have shown that from 2012 till 2016 there have been 74 deaths across the armed services as a result of RTCs. 95% of these were young males and 39% were involving cars and 35% were involving motorbikes. On top of this is the fact that service personnel are 65% more likely to be involved in these accidents than other members of the general public.
Sergeant Harrison said: Today’s event is based on road safety awareness focusing on speeding. This is a massive part of safety for the military especially our department in particular as we are the transport troop. So we use the Lorries; all of the vehicles in fact on a daily basis. So it’s raising their general awareness of road safety.
“Also the lads drive home every weekend travelling for 6 or 7 hours. So it’s that gentle reminder to look after themselves, as we are all human. Today allows the lads to get involved, really hands on, especially with the cutting equipment so they know what it’s like to work with. We have been liaising with Neil Willmott for three years and every year is a new presentation with a road safety focus.”
Medic MA Spaars said: “We really enjoyed the day. As medics, we never normally work with the fire service like this so we didn’t have any idea of what they do at an RTC. I was involved in dealing with the casualties and the Fire Service continued to work around me cutting the car, then everyone helped get them out of the car and carry them to a safe place. A really good experience.”
Image shows the Royal Marines engaged in the training. Picture supplied by DSFRS.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service;www.dsfire.gov.uk
