Dorset Voluntary Search and Rescue’s team of well-trained volunteers is ready to respond 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, to recover missing people in the local area
Lost, confused, cold, injured and sometimes in desperate need of vital medication. This is the distressed state in which many of the missing people recovered by the volunteers of the Dorset Voluntary Search and Rescue (DorSAR) are found. Since it was established in 2004, the search and rescue charity, based in Dorchester, has been involved in 50 operations to find vulnerable missing people, providing key support to the police and coastguard.
“We deal with a wide variety of incidents every year and these can be anywhere, in any weather and at any time,” says Bob Knott, the charity’s president. “We may be searching for Alzheimer patients, potentially suicidal people or children who have become separated from their parents. In addition, we work closely with the coastguard to carry out beach searches for missing swimmers, sailors and fishermen.” Made up entirely of volunteers, the organisation relies on a team of 50 qualified searchers, who are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. “Our volunteers come from all walks of life and every age group, from 18-years-old upwards. Many are seasoned outdoor enthusiasts—to be a searcher, you need to be able to walk five miles in two hours and be available at all times,” explains Bob.
Every volunteer undergoes training in search and rescue skills on simulated exercises in a variety of different environments—urban and countryside, day and night. “People often think that our work takes place in remote, countryside areas,” Bob says. “In fact, 40% of our search and rescue operations take place in towns and cities.” All volunteers also receive basic first aid to ensure they can cope in a medical crisis, with additional training provided for team leaders, team medics and search managers.
The charity is also part of the Association of Lowland Search and Rescue and is on hand to assist in the evacuation of passengers if a train encounters a technical problem. “If there is a breakdown, we can escort passengers to safety and on to alternative transport,” Bob adds.
South West Trains has recently shown its support by giving the charity a cheque for £3,500. “DorSAR does a great job in saving lives and reuniting families, and hopefully our donation will go a long way to securing its future and helping continue its good work,” says Chris Haresign, area manager for mainline train services.
The donation has been used to purchase new radio communication equipment to allow team leaders to keep in contact with each other during an operation and maintain its search control vehicle.
“A founding principle of DorSAR is that we will never charge for any of our services, therefore support from the local community and corporate sponsors is vital if we are to be able to offer a vital resource of trained search-and-rescue volunteers in times of emergency,” Bob explains.
“Such a resource can often literally mean the difference between life and death. This incredibly generous donation from South West Trains will ensure that we can maintain our current search and rescue resources as well as provide additional capability that will allow the team to develop even further in the service of the people of Dorset.”
