Playing in the water
Waipā district and Waikato regional council are being called on to develop inland water safety plans, but at least one mayor can’t see it happening.
Drowning Prevention Aotearoa chief executive Nicola Keen-Biggelaar. Photograph by Greg Bowker
Drowning Prevention Aotearoa chief executive Nicola Keen-Biggelaar’s call comes after Fire and Rescue New Zealand (Fenz) chief executive Kerry Gregory suggested Waikato councils apply for a maritime transport operator certificate.
Fenz banned volunteer firefighters from operating rescue boats and jet skis after Maritime New Zealand announced in the middle of last year the service was acting outside of the law.
The decision has significant implications for Cambridge, Ngāruawāhia and Huntly and promoted a call from Waikato mayors for a rethink.
Aksel Bech
Waikato mayor Aksel Bech was perplexed by Fenz’ ban when it had capability and vessels.
“The fire service are first responders,” he said. “Saying it should not be us, it should be somebody else does not move us forward.”
He doubted the Government, which had tasked mayors with local government reform, would allow councils to take responsibility with safety plans and rescue vehicles as it was not a core service.
Keen-Biggelaar said she did not have a strong view on who should be providing rescue capability but having an organisation that could mobilise search and rescue capability promptly, with trained staff, was critical to preventing drowning.
Of inland water safety plans, Keen-Biggelaar said: “These plans should be informed by a structured risk assessment process and provide location-specific recommendations for drowning prevention and risk-mitigation initiatives.
“At both regional and national levels, inland water safety planning should be guided by international best practice and evidence-based frameworks. Currently, such coordinated plans and strategies for inland waters are largely absent within councils, and addressing this gap would significantly strengthen efforts to reduce drowning risk.”
Keen-Biggelaar said was not clear that there was a consistent, clearly defined, or dedicated rapid response capability for river and lake emergencies across the Waikato region.
An example of the unpredictable strength of the Waikato River at the Dominion Ave boat ramp. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
“There is effectively no dedicated lifeguard-based supervision or rapid-response capability for rivers and lakes in the region. Response to incidents is therefore largely reactive and dependent on general emergency services or volunteer rescue organisations, rather than on-site prevention, supervision, and immediate rescue capacity.”
She said there did not appear to be a clear delineation of responsibility for inland water rescue in New Zealand.
“New Zealand Police do not promote water entry for general duties officers; while specialist teams exist, these are not part of the routine emergency response capability. A similar situation applies to Fire and Emergency New Zealand. In practice, inland water emergencies are directed to New Zealand Police, who then activate whatever rescue assets are available and appropriate to the location and circumstances.”
Lake Karapiro. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
She believed the greatest impact would come from education that supports people behave safely in and around inland waterways, as well as training on how to safely assist someone who requires help in the water.
“Targeted media campaigns focused on inland water safety and safe bystander rescue would further reinforce these messages at a community level. In addition, the placement of public rescue equipment and clear, location-specific signage at known hazardous sites would help raise awareness of local risks and provide bystanders with the means to assist if required,” she said.
Jo Davies-Colley
“It is important that the installation of signage and rescue equipment is accompanied by parallel community education, so people understand what the signage means and how to use public rescue equipment correctly and safely.”
Waipā deputy mayor Jo Davies-Colley said the safety of people using and enjoying the district’s rivers and waterways was a priority for the mayor, herself and fellow councillors.
“We are keen to start the conversation about what options might be available and what role, if any, council could play,” she said.
“Any involvement in river rescue would need to be carefully thought through and fit alongside existing emergency services, whose important work we strongly acknowledge and support. For now, our focus is on understanding the issues, listening to advice, and making sure any future decisions are practical and in the best interests of our community.”
People swim in the sea. Photo: Jess Loiterton, pexels.com
