Learning to be
Community working together at
A number of agencies took part in a community water safety event by the river in Blairgowrie and Rattray recently.
New boards have been installed along the banks of the River Ericht in Blairgowrie and Rattray as part of efforts by firefighters from Blairgowrie Fire Station and representatives from Perth and Kinross Council to improve water safety in the area.
The potentially life- saving equipment at the recently renamed Sir William Macpherson Park includes location information, safety advice, mental health support information and throwlines.
And the water safety event was to show people how to use the throwlines and learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques.
The session was hosted by local members of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) in partnership with Police Scotland, Tayside Mountain Rescue, PKC community wardens and Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Council (BRCC).
Local SFRS Watch Commander Paul Smith said: “I’m delighted to see this project, which has taken just eight weeks from inception to fruition, come together in time for the busy spring and summer months.
“It was great to see so many people from a wide range of ages and backgrounds come out to learn life-saving skills.
“By working together with our partners we are able to hold events like this and reduce the potential risk of harm in our communities.
“Thank you to the PKC greenspace team, which has helped with funding for the creation and installation of the boards, and to Piotr Gudan of Outdoor Explore, Richard Cannon of Blairgowrie Garage and Pete Richardson of First Aid Perthshire who have kindly donated the lifesaving equipment.”
BRCC chair Scott Macgregor added: “This was a great partnership event and well done to the Blairgowrie-based firefighters from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for organising it and getting everyone together.
“Huge thanks to the crew and the local businesses that sponsored the installation of the three throwlines in the town.
“There has never been anything like this in Blairgowrie and Rattray before but we know how important water safety is in this area so it is great to have them now, particularly ahead of the warmer weather in the spring and summer.”
Jill Liversedge is one of PKC’S safer communities wardens who are all throwline-trained and will be checking the equipment regularly to make sure it is in good working order.