WEST Devon fire crews, who have risked their own lives in the past going to the aid of people trapped in fast moving rivers, are to be given new equipment and training.

Yelverton fire station has already taken delivery of the new rescue packs — the first in the area to do so — but other stations will soon be given the new equipment too.

Yelverton firefighter Alan Brown said they had been given throwing lines and life jackets and were expecting drysuits, helmets, gloves and inflatable walkways in the near future.

'Our rivers are very fast flowing around here, especially in the storms we have had of late and, as far as possible, we are not to go into the water because of the risk of the rescuer being swept away,' he said. 'This equipment is what we have needed for a long time — in the past we have been tying ourselves off to lines and getting in the water without life-jackets, but those days are gone.

'It's a really small bit of kit, but it is vital to us.'

The lines, conveniently packaged in a small bag, can be quickly thrown to a person in difficulty. The inflatable walkways can be stretched across a river as a temporary bridge for rescuers to work from in the event of a more difficult rescue.

Fire crews have also been involved in rescuing people from rising flood waters and other situations where the new equipment will make them both more comfortable and safer.

In the past, not having life-jackets meant they could not take advantage of boats often available nearby.

Another problem for rescuers is hypothermia. The drysuits — rubber suits, like wetsuits, but sealed at the arms, legs and necks, are designed to keep the wearer dry and warm.

They will also be a lot safer and less cumbersome than the heavy gear the crews normally wear to protect them from the heat of a fire, which can get waterlogged.

Mr Brown said the proper equipment would have been very desirable during a recent incident at Lopwell Dam. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus, designed to shield the wearer from fumes and smoke, and their usual clothing, went down into the icy cold River Tavy to see if anyone was trapped in a car that had gone in the river off the quay.

In total, more than £100,000 is being spent across the county on the new equipment.