From snakes, swans and horses to bottle-nosed whales, dolphins and badgers, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) is marking 20 years of helping animals who find themselves in tricky situations. April 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of HWIFRS’s animal rescue advisors. It was back in 2004 that Hampshire firefighters recognised the lack of formal procedures for the rescue of animals and a small team of like-minded firefighters formed an operational unit to provide specialist advice and support for the many animal-related incidents dealt with by the Service each year. Jim Green was one of the founding members of the team and remains in this operational role with the fire service today, alongside his work for the British Animal Rescue and Trauma Care Association (BARTA). Reflecting on his 20 years with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue as an Animal Rescue Tactical Advisor, Jim said:
“Over the 20 years with this team I have been involved with hundreds of incidents and many successful and rewarding rescues. Animals are intrinsically part of our nation, whether for companionship, sport, working animals, livestock or service animals. When emergencies happen to people, they also happen to animals. “We have a legal and moral duty of care to people and animals and I am proud of the contribution the Hampshire team have made over the years to our national understanding of this unique rescue type. “Over the years we have learned so much from relationships forged with veterinary and welfare professionals, helping shape our approach and understanding of the unique challenges associated with the needs of animals of all shapes and sizes in distress. “By responding to assist animals during an emergency or disaster, we make the management of emergencies safer and provide the best service for our communities, supporting and improving the physical and emotional wellbeing of people and animals.”
Prior to merging with Hampshire, Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service also had their own training and equipment for animal rescues, with the animal rescue unit based at Newport still operational today. Notable rescues in recent years include a goose at the Canoe Lake in Ryde (April 2017), a joint rescue of a dog at The Landslip (June 2019), a cow stuck between 2 rocks in Chale (August 2020), a near cat-astrophe in Ryde (September 2020) and a kitten on the roof of a 4-storey building in Cowes (January 2024). 
Thank you for your dedication and compassion. You have been brilliant.
Truly something to be proud of that these people many who are volunteers are able to save all kinds of animals. Thank you so very much. The frightened animals if only they understood would no doubt echo such words too.
that yellow tee shirt is enough to make any horse bolt!!! don’t they have proper uniform?
Let’s hope they can now help out with floods on the Island.
Every little helps.