[dropcap type=”circle”]A[/dropcap]n initiative to improve the search and rescue capability of Merseyside Police was launched in Royden Park last night. It sees the police join forces with a group of highly-trained, local volunteers.
A team of teachers, doctors, paramedics, and other professions have formed Merseyside Search and Rescue (MerSAR) to become the 36th such unit in the country.
The MerSAR unit will specialise in lowland search and rescue operations – for example, when people go missing and large expanses of woodland, coastline, or industrial wasteland and need to be located urgently. The unit will also be able to assist other emergency services such as the fire service in helping to rescue people who might be stranded on a beach or waterway, or trapped in their home following flooding.
The 22 volunteers will be on-call so that search experts in the police can call on them for help when needed.
Members have been trained by the national governing body – Association of Lowland Search and Rescue (ALSAR) – in a variety of essential skills including First Aid, navigation and search methods. MerSAR will operate as a charity meaning that it will be holding a number of fundraising events throughout Merseyside later this year.
Assistant Chief Constable Ian Critchley from Merseyside Police said: “The Merseyside Search and Rescue unit will be of great benefit to the Merseyside public and our force. To have a team of dedicated and highly-trained people to help us search for vulnerable missing people will give us the best possible chance of finding many of them before they come to any harm. It is testament to the community spirit of the volunteers that they are prepared to give up their precious free time at a moment’s notice to help others, often in difficult conditions.”
Martin Blakeborough, chairman of MerSAR added: “It is through the hard work and efforts of all team members, having completed all training requirements, that Merseyside Police have now endorsed us as a live team. There is still a lot of hard work and training to be undertaken but we are looking forward to building a positive and professional relationship with Merseyside Police that will ultimately help vulnerable or needy people on Merseyside. Many thanks to all involved for having the confidence to allow us to make a difference.”
The team will have access to a small boat to assist in water rescues and also a Land Rover Discovery donated to the charity by Jaguar Land Rover, which is fitted with a winch, roof rack, spotlights and other equipment.
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