Poole Harbour Islands Safety Group

I attended a recent meeting of the Poole Harbour Islands Safety Group (PHISG), I represent the ambulance service on this group. Other members include the island owners, their representatives, local police team, marine police section, representatives from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue, the Harbour Master, local council emergency planners and county emergency planners.Other specialsts also attend the meetings as needed.
As you may know I am lucky enough to live close to Poole Harbour and in my life before green I was a licensed passenger boat skipper in the harbour, this helps me understand the problems living on an island and the logistical access problems this poses. Poole has five main islands which have a multitude of uses; holiday home for the owner, rental holiday cottages, oil production as part of the Wytch Farm oil field, visitor attraction attracting up to 2000 visitors a day. As you can see each will have its own specialised and unique risks which have to be addressed. Add into the mix, a busy commercial port and lots of leisure and recreational users, the harbour on a sunny Saturday in the summer is a very busy place!
Although physically close to the mainland there are logistical problems accessing any of the islands and all involve a boat crossing, however further difficulties can be encountered due to the shallow waters of the harbour and tides.

Ariel view of Poole Harbour looking north from the harbour entrance

The PHISG was bought about after a serious fire destroyed a house on Green Island, this highlighted the difficulties faced by the emergency services responding to an incident on an island. Since its formation much work has been done between all those involved. All islands now have fire fighting equipment including hoses, pumps and protective clothing to provide a first strike against fires occurring on the islands. This is in addition to what was already in place on Brownsea and Furzey islands. There is also a agreement between the islands that they will provide help and support to the other islands if needed.
All inhabited islands now have a defibrillator and residents / staff have received training in its use and basic first aid, this again allows immediate help to be given to any casualty prior to the arrival of the ambulance service.
Much work has been carried out around communications between all the members of the group so that information can be shared quickly and easily, particularly relating to crime prevention and marine incidents.
Something else the group considers is the red squirrel plan. The harbour islands are one of the last remaining strongholds of the rare red squirrel and to unsure their survival plans are in place to deal with disease , predation or loss of habitat. These are reviewed regularly in light of any identified or potential risks.