“In 1972, a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn’t commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them….maybe you can hire The A-Team.”
Ok. So they might not quite be Hannibal, Faceman and Murdoch, but across the country there are a group of highly trained individuals that assist the emergency services in specialist rescues and missing people searches.
Whilst Mountain Rescue and the Coastguard are well known, the Lowland Rescue teams across the country aren’t so well known.
In December 2016, when moving to Staffordshire, I decided it was time to get back involved in something that had been on a back burner for a few years. Volunteering in our local Search and Rescue team.
In our times of austerity, we all recognize that police and fire service numbers have been cut back and this was seen around 15-20 years ago, when charitable organisations across the country were formed to support the emergency services, with a team of trained, professional and qualified people to help in times of emergency.
Staffordshire Search and Rescue Team, is one of the Lowland Rescue charities across the country that plays such a role. SSART is made up of a team of around 70 unpaid volunteers, who take part in everything from fundraising and PR/Events, through to active roles in search operations.
We train weekly in all skills from emergency first aid, to rope work, water safety, search techniques, mental health awareness to name a few. With team members coming from all walks of live, postmen, firemen, paramedics, mechanics, plasters, and photographers to name a few our skills are diverse, but with team work and training we achieve a common goal.
Specialist teams train in river searches with powerboats and kayaks, mountain bike teams are available for off road searching of our national parks and urban areas, whilst the noses of three specially trained air scent dogs provide one of the most effective search tools.
So whilst the A-team don’t exist, many don’t know that we do either. But behind the scenes, we could be out searching for your missing relative with alzheimer’s, a missing child or suicidal person. Day or night, 365 days a year, we are trained and equipped to deal with almost anything, but most importantly, we need your support for the one day you might need us.
For information about how you can help Staffordshire Search and Rescue Team, either by sponsorship, having a collection tin at your business or an event we could attend, get in touch via our website www.ssart.org
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Night time training session.
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Students of 2017 - Search Technician Training Qualifying Weekend
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Preparing for a rope rescue training session
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Rope rescue practice by night.
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Team vehicles equipped and ready to go.
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End of an Evening's Road Search Training
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Team of Search Technicians ready for Road Search Training
jamie morgan search and rescue volunteer
Water Safety and River Training
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Fundraising at Surrey Police Open Day
