In July 2024, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service (WFRS) responded to an accidental drowning along the River Arrow in Alcester. Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service is taking action to help reduce these types of incidents in Warwickshire’s waterways and have since installed Portsafe devices along the River Arrow to promote water safety and provide members of the public with the equipment to safely help if they see individuals in danger in the water.  

In addition, WFRS' Community and Commercial Training team is conducting a review of other open water areas within Warwickshire where the service has historically received emergency calls from the public. 

WFRS is reaching out to local businesses to request assistance in raising the necessary funds to install emergency boards at these locations. These boards will not only provide critical information during an emergency but will also feature a lockbox containing a throw line. The lockbox will be accessible via a phone call to WFRS, similar to the procedure for accessing a defibrillator. This system will ensure that the Service is alerted to the emergency while also providing the public with a means to assist individuals in distress until help arrives.

In recognition of any business that contributes to this initiative, WFRS will prominently display the business's name on the emergency boards, as pictured with a board along the River Arrow, generously funded by local businesses and organisations.