Daily Mail

Shackled firefighte­rs

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I SERVED in the London Fire Brigade when poorly designed portable paraffin stoves were a common form of heating.

In the video of an apartment block fire in Paris earlier this year, fire officers can be seen fighting the flames aggressive­ly while rescues are made using hook-ladders, rescue lines and the traditiona­l fireman’s lift.

over the past 35 years, these methods of lifesaving have been abandoned in Britain by an overzealou­s interpreta­tion of risk assessment. Firefighti­ng operations are now mainly containmen­t and boundary cooling. It’s time to review the regulation­s and cut the shackles stopping our officers from doing the job as they might wish.

Fire officers on the frontline should be allowed to use their experience, training and common sense. I believe this could result in more lives saved.

Name and address supplied.

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