BUILDING work at the North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team’s new base in Exeter Road Industrial Estate is underway as part of a busy autumn for the team.

Team leader David Stoneman said: ‘Following our crowdfunding campaign last spring and grants and donations including from Okehampton United Charites, Awards for All and Devon County Council’s Locality budget; we’ve raised enough money for the building works to convert our industrial unit into a purpose-built rescue centre with a training room, equipment drying and storage facilities, and vehicle garaging. We’re hoping to be fully moved in and making good use of all the new facilities by Easter.’

On Sunday, December 11, the team had its 33rd call-out of the year to assist an injured walker on the moors. That’s a 38% increase from 2015’s 24 call-outs.

The call-out followed two weekends in the water for ten of the group’s members, learning about the hazards of working in or near fast flowing water.

Members learned how to search for and rescue people using wading techniques, swimming on a rope tether and even an inflatable sled, how to set up rope systems and pulling people out of weirs. 

All ten members achieved the standard of swift water rescue technician. This means that they have the skills to work alongside other emergency services at major flood events, as some members did at the York floods last Christmas; and the capability to rescue people such as kayakers from fast flowing rivers.