Hi all,
My apologies for all the typos. Hopefully this has fewer! I had to type the thread quickly as my boss was in the immediate vicinity; she is a bit of a tyrant.
rules are "For the guidance of wise men. and the blind obedience of fools". Ela's comments are even more poignant today when life and attitudes are wrapped up in red tape and 'Jobsworths' rule the day.
The whole situation was just incredible and I do confess to getting angry when red tape clouds matters and judgment. As a Liability Insurance underwriter I fully understand health and safety issues and their importance. I often have to draw clients attention to them. However, those rules in the wrong hands and thus interpretation makes a serious subject a laughing stock. The increase in H & S orders, etc is born out of the blame culture which paralyses this country.
The fact is that the Surrey Brigade will
only provide vehicle and equipment support when an RSPCA officer is present. The service won't risk fireman climbing ladders and injuring themselves for an animal but will provide the ladders, etc for an RSPCA inspector to climb. The RSPCA allow their inspectors to climb fire service ladders in those circumstances. I told the officer that if they would only come out with an RSPCA inspector they will never go out as the RSPCA have no sense of concern or urgency. Sadly but hardly surprisingly that reflected his own experience.
The London fire service are not bound by such rules in this situation and apply a common sense approach...... Thank God.
I would pose the question to those in rescue - What is the position is in their neck of the woods. Forewarned is forearmed.
The firemen themselves are absolutely brilliant and rightly cherished in the UK. It seems clear to me that common sense judgment calls which they are experienced at making has gone out of the window with more restrictive health and safety orders. Technically, I suppose, they could be disciplined if they didn't follow them. What a world!
Nick,
I used to be a fund raiser for the local Cats Protection group but am one of a growing number in the UK who are banned by that organisation from serving on a committee for having the audacity for seeking financial clarity on a local matter. I'll say no more than that as I took legal advice. The group now have another fundraiser who I think will be excellent but she is experiencing a number of local difficulties of a different nature. It really doesn't have to be like this and is refreshing to see the CP volunteers on this site and their views. I wish I had lived in their branch areas. Que sera.
I work from the simple base that the cat comes first and everything supports that or should be made &/or designed to support that. Some work the opposite way where the cat is almost the last consideration which I simply don't understand or accept.
Thanks for the idea about the cherry picker. I had never thought about that. In a situation when when time may is on your side, it is certainly worth considering. That is what I like about this site. Everybody combines thoughts and experience and has a lot to share.
