Thank you for your request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. I can confirm that Essex County Fire & Rescue Service does hold this information.
Please see below the answers to your request.
Initial request:
1.Whether or not you issue impact shorts to their Level 3 qualified water rescue responders as an additional item of PPE.
2. Whether anyone from your water rescue team, has sustained a similar injury during Level 3 water rescue training or operations.
3. The control measures that you put in place to lessen the risk of Level 3 water rescue technicians colliding with a submerged object whilst in swift water.
Final response:
1. Whether or not you issue impact shorts to their Level 3 qualified water rescue responders as an additional item of PPE.
We do not issue impact shorts to Level 3 qualified water rescue responders.
2. Whether anyone from your water rescue team, has sustained a similar injury during Level 3 water rescue training or operations. No serious back injuries have occurred during Level 3 water rescue training or operations.
The control measures that you put in place to lessen the risk of Level 3 water rescue technicians colliding with a submerged object whilst in swift water.
The control measures we have in place are:
Training positioning in water techniques.
Monitoring from training instructors.
Safety briefing prior to entering the water.
If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request you have the right to apply for an internal review. Internal review requests should be submitted within two months of the date of your original email and should be addressed to:Internal Review, Perfomance & Data Team, Kelvedon Park, Rivenhall, Witham, Essex CM8 3HB