Wilmslow Fire Station has become home to one of Cheshire Search and Rescue Team's (CSAR) vehicles, with the Toyota Hilux now sharing the station yard with the fire engine.
The Hilux, one of several CSAR vehicles based across the county, has been fitted out to a specific design for CSAR. It's capable of carrying a full search team along with all the equipment they need to operate effectively. This equipment includes full rescue trauma and critical care (RTACC) kit including medical gases, several stretchers and casualty extrication devices. There are personal flotation devices and helmets for water rescues (worn with other personal protection equipment), ropes, lighting, alongside a laptop and printer to help plan and print out detailed mapping for search areas.
Station Manager Duncan Palin said: "We are pleased to be able to help Cheshire Search and Rescue in this practical way. They are a team of volunteers who are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They receive no government funding at all but deploy in all weathers to help firefighters, police and the ambulance service when required. This initiative brings equipment and expertise together under one roof and will ensure an even closer working relationship when operational together."
Simon Lane, CSAR Team Leader added: "Wilmslow Fire Station is a perfect location as several team members live within two miles of the station. Having use of this facility means we can collect the vehicle quickly and aim to further improve our response time from call out to being fully operational in the field."
The team covers all 900+ miles of Cheshire and a third of the callouts are to assist neighbouring Mountain Rescue teams. Their primary role is to assist Cheshire Police in searching for missing and vulnerable people and they also assist other statutory emergency services and rescue teams, particularly in adverse weather.
Image shows (l to r): Colin Eggleton, President Wilmslow Dean Roatary Club; Wilmslow Station Manager Duncan Palin and from Cheshire Search and Rescue, team leader Simon Lane, deputy team leader Mark Susca and deputy team leader Rick Lane.
