New State of the Art Vehicle to Help Search for Missing People
A brand new vehicle that will Avon & Somerset Search and Rescue becomes operational on 1st November. The new Incident Control vehicle is fitted with state of the art technology to help find missing people.
Adrian Payne, ASSAR Vehicle Officer said, ‘This new Incident Control vehicle takes us to the cutting edge of being able to help people far from help. We have to be able to plan and coordinate search and rescue operations from a wide variety of locations. Typically we get called out to remote places in the middle of the night and have to be able to operate with no or limited support. It’s been a huge fundraising effort from everyone and lots of time fitting the kit from fellow team members but we know this will help us become even more effective.’
Avon & Somerset Search and Rescue (ASSAR) are the police’s chosen search and rescue resource in Avon and Somerset. Staffed by volunteers they are on call 24/7 365 days a year, whatever the weather or time of day. They get called out around 35 times a year to find missing high-risk and vulnerable people. They have been involved with high profile cases such as Charlotte Bevan and Joanna Yeates in Avon Gorge along with many incidents in Cheddar Gorge and across the area.
The vehicle is a long wheel base VW Crafter. It has been fitted with the latest technology by specialists within ASSAR. To help plan searches and coordinate rescues the operational control area has;
- A server, Local Area Network and wi-fi connectivity
- Two docking stations and 24” monitors for Toughbook laptops loaded with computer mapping and software for administering a search
- Three of the latest digital radios and a wide range of charging points
- Planning area for collaboration with other emergency services
- Welfare facilities to cater for ASSARs search specialists
- A second bulkhead fitted to contain a caged unit for ASSARs search kit and stretchers
The trustees of ASSAR would like to thanks all the team members who helped fundraise for the vehicle over the last few years and the community of Avon & Somerset who have been so generous. We would also like to thank Pearce Bros and Eurosigns for their kind support.
Posted on 01 / 11 / 2015
ASSAR Welcomes Five New Team Members
After two years of showing the commitment and competencies required five trainees became full team members.
Ben, Jenny, Yaron, Dave and Ian had to spend at least 6 months learning the core competencies required of every team member. After this initial period they were invited to selected callouts to see them put all the training into practice.
In front of all the potential new team members at this years selection weekend the five were presented with their hi-vis jackets that show they are truly part of a unique team. The rest of the team welcome them on board and wish good luck to this years trainees.
The five new team members joining ASSAR.
Posted on 27 / 10 / 2015
Accountants Learn to Search and Rescue
Avon & Somerset Search and Rescue (ASSAR) revealed some of the techniques they use to a local accountants firm on 24 June. Staff from Old Mill Accountants spent the day with the team and were led through training in the morning and then expected to put it all into practice in a large search and rescue exercise in the afternoon.
Using land and facilities generously provided by Mendip Snowsport in Churchill, Old Mill’s staff were taught navigation and search skills alongside putting specialist stretchers together and handling them safely.
During the exercise the accountants were tasked with finding and rescuing one of their colleagues from a tricky situation in woodlands. To add pressure ASSAR added another casualty into the scenario! We’re pleased to announce that both the casualties were moved to a safe location, our congratulations to all the staff at Old Mill.
Andrew Moore, partner at Old Mill, commentated afterwards that it was a “superb day” and that the event had had a “universally positive response” from the staff attending.
Old Mill made a generous donation to the Team of £1250 on the day. A Team spokesman stated that “the rescue team relies completely on donations and this sum will go some way towards upgrading the Team’s vehicles and communications equipment”.
ASSAR is an emergency service staffed by volunteers on call 24/7 365 working on behalf of Avon and Somerset Police. If your company would like to spend a day with the team please contact communication@assar.org.uk
Posted on 06 / 07 / 2015
Bristol Water Support ASSAR with Donation of Toughbooks
Members of ASSAR were delighted to accept the gift of seven Toughbooks from Bristol Water during the computer mapping training they went through recently. The Toughbook laptops will enable ASSAR to use the latest in computer mapping software to help during searches.
Panasonic Toughbooks are rugged laptops designed to withstand drops, spills, dust and grime and to perform in the harshest environments. ASSAR is on call 24/7 365 days a year in any weather, being asked to by the police to assist in difficult, hard to reach areas and so will the Toughbooks.
Eight members of ASSAR underwent two days of training in the latest software known as MX SARMAN from Mapyx. The software has been specifically designed to assist in the planning of searches through maps and the allocation of resources while producing vital time and date stamped records. The latest system allows multiple users to work on the same incident, ideal for some of the large and complex searches ASSAR is called to. Mapyx provides this system free of charge to mountain rescue teams in the UK.
An ASSAR spokesperson said,’These laptops and the mapping software are an important step forward for ASSAR. The accumulated experience of the team members in planning and managing searches can now work in parallel with some very sophisticated technology. The team is very grateful to Bristol Water for this very generous donation. Mapyx continue to be a great supporter of search and rescue across the country and long may that continue.’
ASSAR members training with the latest mapping software from Mapyx
ASSAR members training with the latest mapping software from Mapyx
Posted on 09 / 03 / 2015
Training in the latest Computer Mapping Software for Searches
Members of ASSAR are being trained in the latest version of a computer programme that helps plan and coordinate searches.
SARMAN is a GIS Software programme specifically developed for the use in the search and rescue management of missing persons. Originally it was designed in conjunction with Mountain Rescue England and Wales and subsequently used on numerous searches since. It is in use with MREW Teams, ALSAR Teams, MOD SARF, Police Forces and Fire & Rescue Services.
Bristol Water are helping ASSAR with a project to make it easier for the team to use SARMAN and are hosting the training, our thanks to them for their ongoing support.
Posted on 05 / 03 / 2015