Uniformed Hero nominees – Dale Glover, Phil Salwey, Martin Bailey, Tim Bullock, Justin Cooley and Adrian Smith

Uniformed Hero nominees – Dale Glover, Phil Salwey, Martin Bailey, Tim Bullock, Justin Cooley and Adrian Smith

When a river training session was interrupted by the need for a real-life rescue, six firefighters took an injured kayaker to safety then returned to their training.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service firefighters Dale Glover, Phil Salwey, Martin Bailey, Tim Bullock, Justin Cooley and Adrian Smith were taking part in an ‘aggressive swim session’ in a river in Llangollen in May when they were approached by a kayaker who said his girlfriend had fallen on rocks and had a suspected broken leg.

They quickly formulated a plan. Phil Salwey and Tim Bullock were to go to their van, get equipment out and call for an ambulance. Martin Bailey and Adrian smith were to remain on the island to convey messages while Dale Glover and Justin Cooley were to go to scene.

The woman was in severe pain and unable to move due to her injuries. Thankfully the firefighters had a stretcher, trauma kit and rescue sled which meant they could work together to transport her from the rocks to the car park up stream.

The six firefighters have been nominated as Uniformed Heroes in the Your Heroes Awards by Chief Fire Officer Rob Barber.

He said: “During a fire service training course an actual incident occurred on the river and our team affected a rescue immediately. They ensured everything was put into place and then returned to their training activity.

“All team members played their part to ensure they reached the car park safely, from where the lady was then able to be taken on to hospital.”