BLSAR 2024 and Beyond
As we reflect on the year 2023, marked by our transition into a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), the past year has been a testament to our commitment and achievements. While moments may have seemed quiet, the numbers tell a remarkable story:
The stats:
- Callouts: 74 times, involving 808 volunteer hours.
- Training Exercises: 118 sessions, contributing 421 volunteer hours.
- Fundraising Events: 145 occasions, generating 830 volunteer hours.
- Current Members: 85 dedicated individuals, accumulating a total of 11,495 volunteer hours.
Noteworthy updates:
- New Members: We welcome 14 new members currently undergoing training.
- Specialized Training: Five members are now part of the Water Team, and an additional five are training as drone pilots.
Funding:
Investments in equipment and capabilities:
- We've acquired a new boat, dry suits, a specialist evacuation stretcher, medical kits, drone batteries, and a cutting-edge 360 degree Sonar system.
Despite the selfless dedication of our members, we continue to rely on charitable funding to purchase and replace rescue equipment to sustain our operations in 2024 and beyond. If you'd like to support us, please visit the link here.
New Base Search:
WE NEED HELP TOO: The search for a new base is ongoing, especially with the redevelopment of the Toutley depot site, our current location, within the old building will be demolished once the new Toutley depot has ben completed. For more details, visit here.
Forging New Partnerships
Berkshire Lowland Search & Rescue serves as the primary search resource for Thames Valley Police, extending our capabilities to emergencies for various agencies through the Local Resilience Forum (LRF). Our contributions go beyond traditional search and rescue operations, encompassing vital support in activities such as vaccination clinics and aiding in winter crises at local hospitals.
In a significant stride towards collaboration, 2023 marked the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Berkshire Lowland Search & Rescue and Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue. This groundbreaking development provides the Fire Service with direct access to our team through their dedicated control room, facilitating seamless coordination for both drone and water rescue services. This strategic partnership enhances our collective ability to respond swiftly and effectively to diverse emergency scenarios.
A Significant Search:
One of our recent major searches necessitated collaboration with neighboring teams - Berks SAR dogs, Bucks SAR dogs, Oxfordshire SAR, Bucks SAR, and Hants SAR. The extensive effort resulted in:
- 85 searchers
- Approximately 400 volunteer hours
- 1.3 million square meters covered in foot searches
- 15 kilometers of road searched
We appreciate your ongoing support as we navigate the challenges of search and rescue operations.
Finally we would like to wish all our supporters a happy and peaceful new year.