2014 Introduction the Website
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KESWICK Mountain Rescue Team A Registered Charity Number 509860 Annual Report 2014 Introduction The website Gategill Fell Venus Griffiths Welcome to the 2014 Annual Report of For more information about the Team, Keswick Mountain Rescue Team. see www.keswickmrt.org.uk This is a record of the Team’s activities in 2013. Please support the Team through the links from the website to The Team operates in the area shown on the map on page 2. The Charities Aid Foundation, JustGiving, JustTextGiving Occasionally the Team is called elsewhere. and (See also pages 30 and 31) Thanks Photographs The painting has been donated by Venus Griffiths. All photographs used in this report The framed original is for sale to the highest bidder. have been contributed by It may be viewed at Derwent Frames, High Hill, Keswick. Keswick Mountain Rescue Team members. All proceeds to Keswick Mountain Rescue Team. Keswick Mountain Rescue Team 2014 President: Mike Nixon MBE Deputy Team Leaders: Paul Barnes, Chris Gillyon, Chairman: Malcolm Miller Chris Harling, Simon Hodgson Secretary: Paul Cheshire Medical Officer: Dr Tim Hooper Treasurer: lan Wallace Training Officers: Gordon Barker, Steve Hepburn Spooney Green House, Radio Officer: Alan Prescott Spooney Green Lane, Vehicles Officers: Matt Eaves, Mick Guy Keswick, Cumbria CA12 4PJ Equipment Officers: Martin Bell, Tom McNally Team Leader: Chris Higgins Base Officer: Simon Noble Committee: Fiona Boyle, Paul Horder Social Secretary: Elly Whiteford Report Editor: Peter Little Secretary (Meetings & Minutes) Steve Allen Handyman Mark Hodgson MBE Project Director and (Talks & Visits): Gordon Barker Biotech Consultant Simon Hodgson Company Director Graeme Wilson Alan Barnes Outdoor Pursuits Instructor Tim Hooper General Practitioner Paul Barnes Fire Fighter Katharine Horder Head Teacher Secretary (Membership): Jan Beedham Laboratory Technician Paul Horder Retired Fiona Boyle Martin Bell Paramedic Andy Jones Guest House Proprietor Secretary (Correspondence): Tom Blakely Paramedic Dan Jordan College Lecturer, Karen Sturgess Quentin Boyes Marketing/CRM Consultant Prince’s Trust Team Leader Fiona Boyle Lecturer Peter Little Pharmacist Paul Carter Production Manager George Lloyd Retail Assistant Paul Cheshire Chartered Engineer Tom McNally Outdoor Pursuits Instructor Adrian Clifford Retired Malcolm Miller Retired Neil Dowie Hotelier Phil Newton Retired ([email protected]) Matt Eaves LDNPA Apprentice Supervisor Mike Nixon MBE Retired Keswick MRT Headquarters, Donald Ferguson Retail Assistant Simon Noble Retired Lakeside Car Park, Lake Road, Chris Francis Fire Service David Pratt Teacher Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5DJ Richard Gale Technical Delivery Manager Alan Prescott Senior Manager Chris Gillyon Company Director Jocky Sanderson Outdoor Pursuits Instructor Geoff Gilmore Leisure Pool Manager Brian Spencer Retired Rob Grange Photographer Karen Sturgess Community Warden Mick Guy Retired Lisa Suttle General Marina Manager Collection Box Co-ordinator: Chris Harling Company Director Ian Wallace Retired Brian Spencer Roy Henderson National Trust Ranger Paul White Papermill Chemist Daresfield, Chestnut Hill, Keswick, Steve Hepburn Carpenter Elly Whiteford Technical Officer Cumbria CA12 4LS Chris Higgins Outdoor Pursuits Instructor Graeme Wilson Site Inspector See page 26 1 Keswick Mountain Rescue Team CALLOUT STATISTICS Area of Responsibility 96 Callouts, 5 Fatalities DAYS OF THE WEEK 2013 35 Overwater Caldbeck 30 25 20 Bassenthwaite 15 Skiddaw Blencathra 10 Threlkeld 5 Braithwaite KESWICK INCIDENTS INCIDENTS Derwentwater 0 M T W T F S S MONTHS OF THE YEAR 2013 20 18 Thirlmere Grange 16 Helvellyn 14 12 Seathwaite 10 8 6 4 Scafell Pike ENTS 2 INCID INCIDENTS 0 J F M A M J J A S O N D 2 Chairman’s Report 2014 Early in 2013 I took over the role of Chairman for and clothing in general but perhaps less familiar me should I need it. I am guessing that these Keswick Mountain Rescue Team. Having been with the more specialised equipment that a reasons are common to all of us. in the Team for over forty years it made me team may be required to use. In order to carry And why after 44 years am I still involved reflect on how things have changed during that out a rescue efficiently, we need to have access with the team? Well although my role and period, and there have been many changes. to a wide range of equipment and have the contribution may have changed, I feel that I The number of incidents over recent years has knowledge and skills to use it to best effect. have still something to offer. But far more increased considerably since I joined in 1970 K.M.R.T. is a dynamic group of individuals, meaningful is that I have yet to come across and although the Team has had to adapt to this constantly seeking to review and improve the a more selfless and friendly group of people, demand it has done so remarkably well. way we do things so that we function well as and I still wish to be part of that. That has not Take for example the amount of time between a unit when the need arises. This is achieved changed. the initial 999 call and our lead vehicle departing through weekly training sessions and in the The beginning of 2014, however has seen a from base. In 1970, the call went through to the course of a year a wide and varied syllabus is most significant change. This January, Mark police, and then the local station would consult covered. First Aid is of course a priority area, Hodgson stood down after twenty years as a list and ring up members one by one until additionally there is familiarity with technical Team Leader being succeeded by Chris Higgins, sufficient had gathered to fill the first vehicle. equipment and keeping up to date with the one of our most capable Deputies. Being State of the art technology reduces this time latest rigging and rescue techniques. We Leader of a very busy team is an extremely considerably; within minutes all members are undergo driving training and many of our demanding position and Mark has done an alerted by pager, text or email and the first members are also qualified in Swift Water excellent job over those years, guiding the Team vehicle is ready to leave in as little time as it Rescue. Qualifications are renewed on a regular as it has developed and transformed during takes to get to base and put on a pair of boots. basis and members frequently attend courses this period. What is particularly notable however elsewhere in order to bring new ideas to the is that throughout the sixty-seven years that We all carry radios; this was not always the Team. This amounts to a pretty rigorous schedule case. I remember being recalled from a lengthy the Team has been in existence, there have and consequently a great deal of commitment been only three Team Leaders. I believe this is night search when a maroon was set off in from individual members. the valley signalling members to return to indicative not only of the dedication of the base. Modern communications not only allow It also requires a good deal of understanding individuals concerned but also the relentless members to keep in touch with base, but base from employers and families as these members support and confidence of their fellow team can plot an individual’s position through a G.P.S. are all volunteers and available twenty-four members. facility built into each radio. All much safer and hours a day, every day of the year. I hope you never need us, but if you do, you can far more efficient. So why do it? My reason for joining the Team be reassured you are in capable hands! Improved safety and efficiency is equally evident was a love of mountains in general, familiarity in the equipment that we use. Outdoor enthusiasts with the local area and skills that I could use to Malcolm Miller will be familiar with the advancement in fabrics help others, as I would appreciate them helping 3 Team Leader’s Report for 2014 2013 has been another busy year for the Team. Search and Rescue helicopter provision across Not the busiest, but 96 rescues and 14 alerts the UK will soon not be provided by the military is still very busy for any Team. The number of (Royal Air Force and Royal Navy). Over the years alerts is significantly lower this year; we class an we have built up excellent working relationships alert as where the Team is called by the Police with the military and are always in awe of but the call doesn’t develop into a full team their skills and dedication – and what they can response but can, however, still involve one actually do with a Sea-King! SAR helicopter or two members in investigations for overdue provision across the UK is being privatised walkers, flashing lights, etc. and will be provided by Bristow. We are aware 67 Years 1947 - 2014 The effort and commitment by all Team of developing arrangements for this provision, members involved in dealing with this amount but there remains a lot of work to be done to of rescues is huge; not only with effecting enable a transition between the providers; not the rescues themselves, but also in all the least of which is a training programme for the intention of leaving the Team and will still be training (weekly) and all the behind the 440 mountain rescue team members in the 12 very heavily involved in rescues as part of the scenes input such as equipment, vehicle and Teams across the Lake District, never mind Team, just taking a bit more of a ‘back-seat’ radio maintenance and replacement, finance, training all members in the 52 Teams across role.