A pioneering water safety partnership developed in West Dunbartonshire after tragedies on Loch Lomond has been formally rolled out across the country.
Last week, we told how Leanne Rae, mother of tragic Ava Gray who lost her life whilst playing with friends in the River Leven near Balloch, hoped the partnership would be Ava’s legacy - and help to save lives.
Ava’s family, led by aunt Jamie Gillies, campaigned tirelessly for greater water safety measures following her death.
The model used – which was a joint partnership between West Dunbartonshire Council, Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service – has now been so successful it will be rolled out across the country.
The ‘Partnership Approach to Water Safety’ group – PAWS – set up last year has seen a number of measures, including new life rings and improved signage.
By gathering all agencies responsible for water safety – including Scottish Fire and Rescue, Police Scotland, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority, Scottish Canals and council officials – the forum has delivered a consistent approach with partners sharing information, resources and good practices to improve the provision of public rescue equipment, signage and increase public awareness via safety messaging.
PAWS stakeholders also conduct a debrief review following any notable water-related incident or safety concern to identify areas for improvement and awareness raising.
Now, as part of the Scottish Government’s Water Safety Plan, all other local authorities are required to adopt the same partnership model first designed by West Dunbartonshire Community Planning’s Safe Delivery and Improvement Group.
In the past school term, all secondary schools have worked with Youth Engagement Officers on delivering key messages about water safety in preparation for the summer holidays, when incidents of water tragedies most commonly occur.
To coincide with National Drowning Prevention Week, which took place on the 18 to 25 June 2022, these educational resources were shared with all schools to help equip children and young people with the right knowledge about the dangers in water and how to keep themselves safe when around water.
On the shores of Loch Lomond at Balloch Park and along the River Leven 25 additional public rescue equipment stations and location signs have been installed since 2021.
Leigh Hamilton, ranger service manager at Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority, said: “We know that there are real risk factors here in the lochs and water bodies of the National Park and everyone has a part to play in helping to prevent water fatalities.
“A programme of enhanced water safety measures has been rolled out by the National Park Authority ahead of this summer, including waterside responder training with Scottish Fire and Rescue for people working around loch shores, education materials and in-school sessions for young people and a programme of weekend water safety events at popular locations such as Balloch.
“However, the National Park covers vast waterside areas, only some of which are owned or managed by the Park Authority. So we are continuing to work with local authorities, landowners and businesses to identify popular water sites they own or manage where safety signage and equipment can be improved.”
Council leader Martin Rooney added: “We are proud that the good work of the Partnership has been recognised by the Scottish Government and we hope that a nationwide rollout of the PAWS approach will save many lives.
“By committing to strong partnership working, sharing information, skills training and resources, all agencies support and learn from each other but also amplify their voice in the community with a shared consistent message that raises public awareness of the very real dangers of swimming in open waters.”
