This morning (11 December 2020), crews from Highfields Fire Station assisted the Canal & River Trust in Nottingham and Beeston Canal.

The Canal & River Trust needed help with floating reedbeds in the Canal. Firefighters entered the water to secure the reedbeds and covered them in netting to ensure they are protected.

With directions from the Canal & River Trust, firefighters used blocks to secure them to the bottom of the canal.

Mark Vickers, Watch Manager at Highfields Fire Station, said: “It was a pleasure to work with the Canal & Rivers Trust today and we would like to thank Nottingham Archives for letting us use their car park for this exercise.

As a fire service we could safely assist but it was also a reminder to us that people should be very careful around open water as you cannot see hazards beneath. There can be water features or foreign objects that could injure or entrap you.”

Scott Miller, Business and Corporate Engagement Partner, said: “We’re so grateful to the team from Highfields Fire Station for braving the cold water and helping to secure our floating reedbeds into position. The reedbeds are really important in giving the canal a more natural feel and attracting more wildlife into the heart of the city.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure working with the team who showed great enthusiasm even when up to their waists in freezing canal water.

“We’re particularly pleased that the project came about through the new Nottingham Canal Improvement Partnership and was a great example of two organisations working closely together to solve a problem.”