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14 July 2005 - Major Step Forward in
Firefighting at Sea
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A major project was launched in January 2003, sponsored by the
Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), in co-operation with Her Majesty’s Fire
Service Inspectorate (HMFSI) and the Chief & Assistant Chief Fire Officers’
Association (CFOA), termed the "Sea of Change".
The projects' objective was to put in place an integrated fire
and rescue response service, involving all emergency services for fire-fighting,
chemical hazards and rescues at sea.
Supported by the National Union of Marine, Aviation and Shipping
Transport (NUMAST), the "Sea of Change" initiative involves teams
(approximately 50 per team) of specially trained and qualified professionals
from various emergency services such as the following:
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Coastguards.
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Fire-fighters.
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Medical services.
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Ambulance.
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Police.
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MOD.
The UK now has 95% of goods imported by sea and many more
passenger vessels frequenting our shores. This gives rise
potentially to greater risks of accidents and hazardous incidents within UK
shores, with the added impact of environmental pollution of spillages from
vessels.
With the implementation of the specialised teams from the "Sea
of Change" project, due in April 2006, a professional, faster
and safer response to the containment and rescue of incidents at sea can only be
a major step forward in the saving of lives and prevention of pollution within
our UK shores.
Further information regarding the "Sea of Change" project
can be accessed from the MCA Website by clicking the following:
Maritime & Coastguard Agency
Article by Alexandra Johnston
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