Broad Community Role for A&SSARs Skills and Vehicles
On 11th December one of A&SSARs marked 4×4 rescue ambulances was flagged down at the scene of a two car road traffic collision on the A38 at the junction with Dundry Lane, south of Bristol. A&SSARs driver informed police control and requested uniformed assistance at the scene. The rescue ambulance was put in place ahead of oncoming traffic on the southbound carriageway, with emergency lights showing, as a warning to approaching drivers and to act as a ‘fend off’ to protect the victims and collision scene. The vehicles involved were totally blocking the very busy southbound A38 carriageway at the time. All parties involved were checked over at the scene by GWAS, further to this one was transported away by ambulance. A&SSAR assisted with traffic control on scene with a police officer until the wreckage was removed ‘under police powers’ and the road returned to full use 3 1/2 hrs later.
Posted on 14 / 12 / 2012
Operation Coventina: flood exercise in Congresbury & Wrington
A&S SAR were actively involved in multiple frontline search and rescue taskings during Operation Coventina; a test of community and stake-holder resilience planning in response to the possibility of wide area flooding in and around the Congresbury & Wrington area of North Somerset. This is an issue currently high in public view and highlighted by many reports as of growing concern. A&S SAR’s specialist Flood Search & Rescue Teams were tasked into action in key areas, responding to a variety of incidents. All the while information being provided evolved in this real time, live exercise.
Our colleagues in RAF Search and Rescue, 22sqn ‘A’ flight based at RAF Chivenor, also attended, together with a regional RAF Search and Rescue Liaison Officer. Both provided invaluable resource and input to the operation, assisting with the deployment of A&S SAR’s specialist Flood Search & Rescue Teams and providing their own very capable RAF Search and Rescue assets. This was a unique opportunity to exercise jointly, to hone skill sets and the seamless operation of the leading search and rescue resources covering the area, ensuring and protecting residents well being.
A&SSAR search advisor preparing to brief the SAR incident controller, coordinating the teams on the ground.
A&SSAR flood search and rescue teams prepare during Operation Coventina.
Posted on 10 / 10 / 2012
Video of Woman Winched to Safety in Cheddar Gorge
On the 14th August A&S SAR was involved in a major search and rescue operation for a missing woman in Cheddar Gorge. After a complex search the woman was located in a precarious position in the gorge. Volunteers from A&S SAR and Mendip Cave Rescue safely moved her to the top of the gorge where a safe site had been organised for an RAF SeaKing helicopter to winch her, A&S SARs Doctor and paramedic to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol. This is the video captured by an A&S SAR volunteer during the winch at 00:30.
Posted on 30 / 08 / 2012
New Life for Old Phone Box on the Mendip Hills
Priddy village on the Mendip Hills now has a public defibrillator in the old GPO phone box on Priddy Green. The Parish Council arranged the placement of the defib with a financial contribution from the annual Priddy Folk Festival. The initiative was first suggested by A&S SAR, and is supported by South Western Ambulance Service Trust (SWASFT) who provide the 999 call out service.
A&S SAR will provide a solo co-responder for the Priddy area of the Mendips, callout by SWASFT, in response to local medical emergencies. The public defibrillator, designed to be used without training, can mean life-saving treatment is nearby for heart attack victims.
The Priddy Parish Council also continue to provide grant support to the SX vechicle, a cheque for £750 pounds has been received by A&S SAR this year. A&S SAR will provide some defibrillator training for the residents of Priddy.
Priddy village phone box that holds the defibrillator to help heart victims.
Posted on 13 / 08 / 2012
Air Ambulance Awareness
Members of A&SSAR visited the Great Western Air Ambulance over the weekend. The trip was organised to ensure members of the search and rescue team understood the capabilities of the air ambulance. Members of A&SSAR work with many different agencies during a search and rescue, a thorough understanding is essential.
Pete Sadler, Critical Care Paramedic from the Air Ambulance is also a volunteer with A&SSAR. The guided tour led by Pete was tailored specifically around joint working and understanding the level of care they can provide at a casualty site.
A&SSAR visit to the Great Western Air Ambulance
Our thanks go to Great Western Air Ambulance, and especially Pete for the tour. Please follow the link to the Air Ambulance site to see how you could support this valuable charity.
Posted on 23 / 07 / 2012