CVSRT are very pleased to announce that CVSRT Chairman, David Warden and his three year old border collie ‘Wynn’, have recently been successful in the Mountain Rescue Search Dogs England (MRSDE) Assessment, which confirms that they have achieved the required standard for operational duties. You may remember that Wynn joined the team in 2015 as a 10 week old trainee. She is the third dog that David has trained as a mountain rescue search dog, in a process which has taken two and a half years. The MRSDE Assessment was held at the weekend and required the pair to demonstrate…

As most of you know, CVSRT is made up of specially trained volunteers from the community – all unpaid, all giving their time freely. We are committed to ensuring that the team is fully trained both physically and mentally prepared to support the community and emergency services, as well as our fellow mountain rescue team members. On Tuesday 4th December, CVSRT welcomed several guests to The Rescue Post to share knowledge and recount their experiences from a variety of situations. First up was Inspector Neil Taylor for Calderdale District of West Yorkshire Police, who came along to raise awareness for…

Yesterday the Co-op in Mytholmroyd and Hebden Bridge and J&C Warburton Funeralcare in Todmorden collectively donated a whopping sum of £10,530.00 to CVSRT as part of the Local Community Fund payout day. This is the equivalent of over 20% of the teams annual running costs, all of which is raised through donations. We receive no direct government funding and are staffed by over 60 unpaid volunteers who are on call 24/7, 365 days a year. We are SO grateful to the staff and generous customers who collectively supported the team - thank you!! CVSRT are proud to serve, and be part…

On Tuesday 16th October, 33 team members, Search dog Jack and Trainee Search Dog Tess were in attendance at The Rescue Post for our regular vehicle and equipment maintenance evening. During the evening, the team paused to welcome Natalie Graves, accompanied by Sally Wright, who were invited along to mount a framed picture in memory of CVSRT Richard Graves. Yesterday was a significant date for Natalie and Richard as it marked the anniversary of their first date. In an informal gathering, CVSRT Leader Ben Carter thanked our guests for attending and spoke of Richards contribution to CVSRT, then read a…

On Tuesday 16th October, CVSRT member Steve Britton was presented with a Life Membership Certificate in recognition of his service to the team. Steve is stepping down from active duty to move ‘down south’ for work and to be nearer family. Steve joined the team in 2004 and has held the role of Equipment Officer for 7years and Vehicle Officer for 5years. CVSRT Leader Ben Carter said, “Steve and I joined the team at the same time and I would like to make special mention to his commitment to the team over the last 15 years. Steve has one of…

Last night CVSRT members attended The Rescue Post to say thank you and bid farewell to a long time supporter of the team, Mr Ken Hill who is moving to Wales to be closer to family. Retired solicitor Ken first got involved with the team as a supporter helping out around the base and then moved into an incident control role. For a number of years, Ken also worked fastidiously in the background sharing his business acumen to develop a strong foundation for the team to build and grow. CVSRT would like to thank Ken for his years of service…

At team training this week, CVSRT members had the opportunity to practice various techniques for casualty handling, medical kit protocol and radio communications at Blackstone Edge. 40 team members, Search dog Meg and Trainee search dogs Orion and Wynn were in attendance. We were also pleased to welcome Halifax MP Holly Lynch who came along to meet team members and learn more about the voluntary work we do in support of the statutory emergency services and the local community.

You may not immediately think that Mountain Rescue would be big users of technology, but over the last few years, Mountain Rescue and Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team have been introducing and trialing new technology to make rescues faster and safer for both casualties and team members. Over recent months, CVSRT has made a significant investment on digital radio technology thanks to donations from the community and local business plus a contribution from Mountain Rescue England & Wales (MREW). This now means that each CVSRT member has a digital radio providing wide area secure communications plus we can quickly…

‘Flight FR6673 Liverpool to Knock is now boarding at Gate 32’. This was the start of the CVSRT trainees’ journey to Ireland to assist fellow mountain rescue teams at the annual Reek Sunday Pilgrimage on Croagh Patrick, Co Mayo. The next 48hrs were to be an opportunity to put into practice many of the skills we have developed during our first 6-months of training with CVSRT, and also an assessment before being added to the call-out list. With thousands, an estimated 6,000 this year, of people scaling Croagh Patrick in a single day accidents and injuries were inevitable. Pilgrims, some…

Due to the very warm weather at present and with a forecast of more hot, dry weather and a large moorland fire on Saddleworth Moor - unsurprisingly there is an increased risk here in Calderdale from Wildfire. The Met Office warning for Wildfires over the next few days is very high. Please look after our moors as they play an integral part of the local wildlife, water quality and retaining surface water and carbon, as well as protecting livelihoods. Please be vigilant and help to prevent moorland wildfires. If you see anything suspicious report it to Crimestoppers 0800 555 111…

“Professional is not a label you give yourself – it’s a description you hope others will apply to you”. Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team recently took the opportunity to undergo a peer review of all the operational aspects of the team. Three peer reviewers were invited to the Calder Valley from Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team (South Wales), Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team (North Wales) and Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team (North Yorkshire) and spent a weekend with the team. CVSRT is a very proud team who strive to provide the highest level of search and rescue response to the community…

“Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day, unseen, unheard but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear.” On the 3rd May we told you about a heartwarming story of an incredible young lady - 6year old Amelia Graves, who had decided to have her lovely long hair cut off to help raise funds for two charities. Amelia donated her hair to Little Princess Trust – a charity that creates real hair wigs for children and young adults who have sadly lost their own hair due to cancer treatment or other illnesses. Amelia was also…

It is with great sadness that we announce the recent passing of Search dog ‘Nell’ (a border collie handled by CVSRT Chairman David Warden). Nell retired recently on her 13th birthday having given over 11 years of service to Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team and SARDA England. She was always a confident dog, happy to work at great distances from David and thereby searching and clearing large swathes of moorland or mountainside very efficiently. She was a quick learner and took to search work very enthusiastically. Nell passed her search dog assessment in Snowdonia and joined CVSRT in March…

History was made this week when CVSRT honorary president, Mr Robert (Bob) Uttley MBE retired from the position he has held since 1994 and handed over the reins to president elect Mr David Whitteron. A presentation evening was held at The Rescue Post where Bob was presented with the MREW Long Service Certificate, by Deputy Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Squadron Leader David Dinmore MBE DL RAF (Rtd). He was also offered the role of Lifetime Vice President by CVSRT Team Leader Ben Carter, which Bob gratefully accepted.  At an earlier presentation, Bob was also awarded a Certificate of Loyal Service…

During the weekend of 17th & 18th March, CVSRT provided assistance to our emergency services: Saturday 17th March12:58CVSRT were alerted to an incident involving a hypothermic mountain biker at Warland Reservoir who required assistance. The rider had managed to find shelter but was unable to continue with his ride. Five members were deployed to locate the rider, provide casualty care and transfer him to a place of safety. During the day, weather warnings had been issued for the region and by early evening the wintery conditions began to take hold so CVSRT was placed on stand-by to…

Since the late 1980’s, CVSRT has been fortunate to benefit from the additional support of our four-legged friend – the Search Dog. So far, 16 dogs belonging to Team Members have assisted the team with missing person searches. Search dogs are not restricted to their teams local area and can be called upon to assist with searches anywhere in the country - most notably our dogs have assisted with major incidents in Ireland, Scotland, The Lockerbie air disaster and in Machynlleth, Wales for the April Jones search. Until recently, CVSRT had five operational search dogs and three trainee dogs, however…

It’s safe to say that the last few days have been busy for CVSRT and fellow rescue teams across the country with members working around the clock in shifts to provide support for the emergency services, local councils and associated agencies during the challenging weather extremes everyone has experienced and in some remote areas is still experiencing. It is worth remembering that the team is a charity funded entirely by donations with all team members volunteering their time freely. In most cases, members have full time jobs and families to support, as well as juggling their commitment to the rescue…

High Brown Knoll, 21:30hrs “Calder Control; this is 'Exercise Charlie One' requesting an exercise helimed for a subject with a suspected MI at grid reference Sierra Echo 0098 3042. Over.”“Control to Exercise Charlie One, Helimed 99 is en route to your location. ETA 30 minutes. Over”“Control, just to confirm; actual Helimed 99 en route, not an exercise helimed? Over.”“Correct, prep a landing site. Out.” This was the point our evening suddenly became interesting. Tasked with finding four overdue Scouts and their leader, we’d trudged our way through the snow up to the trig point following their planned route. Our casualties…

There’s no denying that Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team (CVSRT) wouldn’t exist without volunteers and during last year we received over 30 applications from members of the community wishing to join the team as operational full team members. These aspirant candidates went through a three-stage selection process (application form, open evening and a hill skills assessment), to check their suitability to progress onto our training programme. It is with great pleasure that we welcome Nicola, Matthew, James (back row), Trisha and Emily (front row), and Steve (not pictured) as our new trainees for 2018-19. We wish you every success…

It’s customary at this time of year to look back at the year that’s just past, but as the saying goes ‘only look back to see how far you’ve come’. With this in mind we’ve asked our longest serving operational members to reflect on their time in the team…(so far!) Clive Green (47.5yrs service), “In the early days our callouts were usually missing person searches and with about five callouts a year plus we only trained once a month at weekends – so the team today is unrecognizable. Anyone considering joining the team should be prepared to put in a…

Huge thanks to Nat West, Halifax, who chose our team as their charity of the year for 2017. They raised money through various activities such as a static Tour de Yorkshire, cake and book sales, and collecting loose change from their customers. In total, they managed to raise a grand total of £1746.99.

It’s that time of year again! Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team will be out and about meeting Christmas shoppers in Keighley and Halifax Town Centres on Saturday 16th December between 10am – 4pm. This is the perfect opportunity for you to meet the search dogs and team, and also pick up some CVSRT merchandise, which will make excellent Christmas gifts!

As the evenings have been drawing in the volunteers of Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team have shelved their usual head torches, thermals and boots in favour of medical books, rescue equipment and secenario role play. Over the last three months the teams training time has been solely focused on how to care for any casualty they could encounter in the context of Mountain Rescue, whether they are injured or unwell. The ultimate aim is for team members to obtain their Mountain Rescue England and Wales (MREW) Casualty Care Certificate. This qualification allows CVSRT members who are not medical professionals,…

On Thursday 30th November, Calder Valley Search & Rescue Team welcomed members from Halifax & Calderdale CAMRA to The Rescue Post in Mytholmroyd for a look round and to learn more about the team. During the evening, the team was presented with a cheque for £1213.54 from the proceeds of the recent Beer and Cider Festival held in Hebden Bridge. CVSRT member Wayne Ogden was on-hand to gratefully accept the generous donation and say a huge thanks for everyones support during the festival. Cheers!

Fantastic Fundraising News Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team are very pleased to announce that the team will benefit from the Co-op Local Community Fund. #TheCoopWay Already a Co-op Member?You can now select CVSRT as your chosen local cause to receive 1% of what you spend on selected own-brand products and services at the Mytholmroyd and Hebden Bridge stores and at J&C Warburton Funeralcare until the 27th October 2018. Click here >> To choose CVSRT as your Co-op local cause << Not a Co-op Member? Register and help raise funds for CVSRT: Become a Co-op Member Thank you for helping…