Prestigious award for Rural Safety Team

Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service’s rural safety team have received a prestigious national award from the British Horse Society.

Watch Manager Tom Brolan and Crew Manager Adam Martin, who lead on the Service’s specialist animal rescue capability, received a Welfare Award – for extraordinary assistance by others to equine welfare - from the actor Martin Clunes, President of the British Horse Society, at an awards ceremony at Saddlers’ Hall in the City of London.

Awards were presented to individuals and organisations who have given outstanding service to the cause of equestrianism and equine welfare.

Wiltshire FRS started to develop its rural safety team in 2008, with the aim of enhancing both the welfare of animals and the safety of fire crews in matters involving heavy animal rescue. Specialist animal rescue teams were trained, based at Stratton and Amesbury fire stations, who can be called to anywhere within the county.

Initial training took place using a mannequin horse funded by the local RSPCA, but few firefighters had any knowledge of approaching or handling horses under stressful conditions. At this point, WM Brolan approached the Wiltshire branch of the British Horse Society, and a series of basic ‘horse handling’ courses evolved.

The citation for the award stated: “It is astonishing to see, from old and recent video footage, how the teams have progressed in their methods of rescue. Horses and owners in Wiltshire owe a huge debt of gratitude for this: 38 horse rescues last year and 15 in the first four months of 2011 all dealt with skilfully and efficiently.”

Area Manager Ian Jeary, who manages the rural safety team, said: “We are very honoured that the British Horse Society has recognised our work in helping horses and their owners. All of the firefighters involved in specialist animal rescue have benefited from our close links with the Society within Wiltshire, and it is a real boost to have their hard work applauded in this way.”

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