The team has more skills, experience and response capability than only Mountains and technical rescue. In a time when flooding is becoming more prevalent, the team has developed a Swiftwater and Flood Rescue response. Western Beacons has several externally accredited and nationally recognised Swiftwater Rescue Technicians (SRTs) who can respond to inland water rescue and local or in some cases national flooding incidents when required.
The team works with Mid and West Fire and Rescue Services and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, to respond and help people who experience flooding. Rescuing people who have been cut off, from their homes or cars are some of the scenarios the SRTs have been trained for.
The team also has a dedicated water rescue vehicle, purchased from a grant win from the Big Lottery fund some years ago. Our vehicle has the capability to carry 6 water-trained personnel as well as all our water kit and rescue sled, we are able to deploy anywhere in the country to assist where required and can operate independently of the team vehicles.
This area is a good example of the breadth and skills that Mountain Rescue has to support and work alongside other Emergency Services.
In future, the team is considering applying to become a nationally deployable team on the DEFRA Flood National Asset Register (NAR).