South Yorkshire firefighters and dogs involved in water rescue training

South Yorkshire firefighters and specialist dogs took part in a water rescue training exercise to put their skills to the test.
Firefighters and rescue dogs were involved in a training exercises at Rother ValleyFirefighters and rescue dogs were involved in a training exercises at Rother Valley
Firefighters and rescue dogs were involved in a training exercises at Rother Valley

The exercise at Rother Valley Country Park involved crews from Edlington and Aston Park working with three Newfoundlands and one Leonberger scent dog from the Pete Lewin Newfoundlands charity.

Firefighters carried out a number of water rescue techniques incorporating the dogs to test their capabilities in a range of scenarios.

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Station Manager Chris Lally said: “Water rescue is a core area in which a select number of our firefighters specialise in.

"Any opportunity we get to explore new and advanced ways of carrying out this function is always welcomed within the service."

Around 400 people drown in rivers, lakes and reservoirs every year.

Pete Lewin, Paramedic and founder of Pete Lewin Newfoundlands, said: “As a small team of like minded people we go all around the country to emergency services shows.

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"We have developed various manoeuvres for getting people out of the water with the dogs. Over the past eight years we have been looking into rescue work with these powerful and amazing animals and have trained with a number of fire and rescue services throughout the country.

"We would like to thank South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue for inviting us to Rother Valley and for giving us the opportunity to train with the crews.”