UKC

Earlier today I saw pictures of RSPCA staff geared up in immersion suits, helmets etc in much the same manner as MRT and other rescue services. Their attire was emblazoned with the RSPCA logo.

Now, I don't doubt that there are times when animals might have to be recovered in difficult circumstances but do the RSPCA really need to be kitted up in such gear(are they trained in the same techniques as other services?)but in such (few?) cases can they not call in experts.

Part of me wonders whether it's an image thing. "Ooh let's get some of that gear that those MRT/RNLI/etc wear"

In reply to FesteringSore:

http://www.spectator.co.uk/features/8835631/off-the-leash/

In reply to FesteringSore:


have you thought that maybe they are specialist teams as opposed to the normal RSPCA bods?
I suspect its easier to train a few RSPCA staff in specialist rescue than try and train up all the MRT/RNLI etc in the animal handling skills to make sure someone is handy.

In reply to dissonance:



Is that what you know to be the case?

In reply to FesteringSore:

Marine animals in trouble, waterfowl Injured by anglers Kit and wounded by Shooters, animals Stranded in fast flowing Rivers, wildlife and domestic animals Stranded in Floods, animals Trapped on Cliffs or in Confined Spaces etc etc...

I would be amazed if the RSPCA weren't Equipped and Trained to Deal with all these scenarios.

In reply to FesteringSore:

I've some limited experience of the RSPCA and the actual level of animal knowledge outside of cats/dogs/ horses (sometimes) is fairly shocking. Certainly wild animals are well outside of their scope- I have a suspicion that the uniform is just a bit of show. The police are all too keen to off load as much of their work onto them as possible, for obvious reasons, but they are in the final analysis charity workers. Some individuals are excellent, but institutionally much more hit and miss.

But very, very slick PR/fundraising team. I don't mean that disparagingly - they are excellent, and it shows in their income streams and the amount of TV exposure they get

In reply to FesteringSore:

The RSPCA are one of several organisations who have water-rescue capability (SRT training, the same kit as Fire/MRT/RNLI/AA/Others) and work to the same set of guidelines and protocol as the other rescue agencies. As some have pointed out, the main reason for this is that the RSPCA have more experience dealing with animals.

All of the above may register as a DEFRA asset. You get a certain amount towards training costs and in return you may be asked to assist with major incidents. As everybody should have similar kit and training standards, you can mix and match personnel from different agencies to make up a team/boat crew. It can be quite useful if you need to deploy specialists to different locations...

The downside is that you have to wear the full kit even if you are stood in 2 inches of water, so it looks a bit like overkill...

In reply to FesteringSore:

If anybody realy cares (I suspect they do not):
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/flood-rescue-concept-of-operatio...

In reply to FesteringSore:

I know that Plas y Brenin do regular training weeks with the RSPCA in swift water rescue.

In reply to lostcat:

The Dee is often teeming with all sorts of agencies doing training with these guys:

http://rescue3europe.com/

In reply to richprideaux:


LOL - though, to be fair, it is slightly less embarrassing to spend all day walking round in full kit than it is to try and get into full kit quickly in front of an audience.....

In reply to FesteringSore:

Also, in the Cockermouth floods a few years back, the RSPCA sent a specialist SRT team in, primarily to rescue animals, although it was a bit less clear cut in practice - there's a great picture of one of the MRT team cuddling a dog, and I'm pretty sure the RSPCA guys helped the odd human, too.