Salamander Issue 4

13 / 18

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Devon & Somerset Fire &
Rescue Service have 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
a 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
member 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
a 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. “
Working with the Royal Marines
BRIGADE NEWS