Coastguards sacked Health and safety

[codprawn]

Just come across these 2 articles

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_ne...142083,00.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...n_page_id=1770

It really makes my blood boil. These aren't idiots - they know the risks.

The 2nd article is really a farce

"Coastguard sacked for daring clifftop rescue of 13-year-old schoolgirl as boss says: 'We don't want dead heroes"

He felt the girl's life was in danger so he climbed down to her without ropes and held onto her until the helicopter arrived. Now he's been sacked!!!

[SeaSkills]

Unbelievable! I did 6 years with Mountain Rescue, and I've been 30 or so years with the RNLI. If I chose to take a calculated risk in order to save someone else, that was just an expected part of the job, and my right to choose.

I don't know the background to this, but on the face of it it sounds completely outrageous.

[codprawn]

Yes I am always dubious of the Daily Mail but there must be some truth in it. I also did a stint with Mountain/Cave rescue in the early nineties - loved every minute of it but I knew what the risks were - it was my own neck on the line after all..........

[codprawn]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/c...bram=1&nbram=1

Just found this footage on the BBC website - what's really strange is the same girl was rescued from almost the same spot a year before - by the same bloke!!!

[SeaSkills]

Yeah, saw that. Haven't been able to find out what the outcome of it all was though. I see there was a campaign to get the guy reinstated, anyone know if it was succesful?

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Yes I am always dubious of the Daily Mail but there must be some truth in it.

when did they start that?

[Jimbob]

I have to say, that after helping to save someone life i really think they should have been quite proud........and kept any lessons to improve on in the MCA.

[SDGANDER]

I hope Paul won't mind me copying his posting on another forum here, it was wriiten in response to the support he has received from other coastguards, etc...

Hello Everyone
I would like to thankyou all for your comments.As you know in the job we do be it cg rnli ambulance fire or police no job is the same this job was different as the MRU was stuck in a field on the other side of railway track there was 3 locks on both gates a field and a half away only 3 of us responded to pagers so we had called for back up which arrived after the job. 2 of us ran over the field to assess the job the Polce air support unit had a spot light on the girl which was great it was blowing a gale coming off the sea and she had been thre 45mins she was shaking and had mild hyperthermia when you see a young face looking up at you pleading for help i wasnt going to stand there and do nothing she was planning her own funeral in her head. If i couldnt have got to her then thats different i would have had to run back over the field for equipment but i think she would have fallen before we got back. the ledge she had stood on had collapsed so she was hanging by her arms on the grass so i had to get below her and make my own foot holds up behind her and pin her to the cliff face and we were stood there for another 30mins until Resce 128 came and winched her and the others up and took them staright to hospital.
The RAF lads from Leconfield & The police lads at tees valley airport did a good job too considering the wind it was a good bit of flying.
Since the Rescue i have had nothing but chew of certain members of the coastguard from AOM down the line and some trying to cover their backs by lying . I was trutheful i Broke a rule and admitted it i apologised i have been on many sad and bad jobs and to be treated like a criminal for rescuing someone.
In the 13 yrs ive been in the CG i have done alot of things to promote what we do saftey and generally putting the CG forward like organising fund raising event Pulling Tornado Aircraft at RAF leeming and many other things . I recieved the VOLUNTEER COASTGUARD OF THE YEAR IN 2006 Chief Executive Award for working at the boatshow in 2006 both of which i didnt know we did and for all ive done for the coastguard in the community. Some people dont like to do PR wok but i do but i do and some people have been in along time done nothing and got nothing but dont want anyone else to do anything.But like someone said were on the job you have to assess the situation. I was told once that one day i would work outside the Box and this was the time.
But thank you all for your support and comments Im not a HERO WE ARE ALL HEROS THAT DO EMERGENCY WORK AND ONE TIME YOU MIGHT HAVE TO WORK OUTSIDE THE BOX I HOPE YOU GET THE BACKING YOU NEED
Thanks again
Paul Waugh

SDG

[alystra]

Originally Posted by SDGANDER

I hope Paul won't mind me copying his posting on another forum here, it was wriiten in response to the support he has received from other coastguards, etc...

Hello Everyone
I would like to thankyou all for your comments....................

....................Since the Rescue i have had nothing but chew of certain members of the coastguard from AOM down the line and some trying to cover their backs by lying . I was trutheful i Broke a rule and admitted it i apologised i have been on many sad and bad jobs and to be treated like a criminal for rescuing someone.

Thanks again
Paul Waugh

SDG

It doesn't surprise me. During my time at the CG I felt that the upper levels of the organisation were peopled by a higher than average number of bullies. This especially after it turned into the MCA. Many of them were frustrated ships captains - or people with masters tickets anyway. Sometimes such people can turn into martinets. Perhaps they forget they're dealing with volunteers?

Had the girl fallen while Paul went back for kit, he'd have been criticised too. Had he struggled to the scene with some kit, it wouldn't have been enough, leading to more criticism.

So, only three team members turned up? This surely reflects on MCA management in that area. I've never heard of a Lifeboat having to hang around waiting for a full crew after the pagers have gone off. Usually far too many chaps turn up. The volunteer CG teams we dealt with were always keen and reliable, but then our Ops Room and Sector Offices were happy places and the teams responded.

MCA closed it.

[DM]

At least the Chief Exec of NIAS seems to know what it's all about. Maybe the MCA management should take a leaf out of his book.


http://www.derryjournal.com/journal/...rom.3639951.jp