Mountain rescue team launches recruitment drive for new volunteers from Northumberland

Volunteers are needed to join the ranks of Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team.
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The team is particularly looking for volunteers who have hill walking experience, both in summer and winter conditions.

Team leader Iain Nixon said: “We had hoped to recruit new members last year, but the pandemic stopped us doing that.

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"We’re now in a position where we can do this safely and we do need new members to join our highly professional team.”

Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team. Picture: Iain NixonNorthumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team. Picture: Iain Nixon
Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team. Picture: Iain Nixon

Volunteers who live or work in the Tyne Valley, Morpeth area and north towards Wooler would be particularly welcomed, as would those who live near its bases of Pegswood Fire Station and Rothbury Ambulance Station.

“Whilst all our operational members operate on the hill, we do have the opportunity for individuals to specialise in a number of areas including technical rescue, flood and swift water rescue, off-road driving, search dog handlers and drone pilots,” said Iain.

Calls for assistance can include not only search and mountain rescue of walkers, fell/trail runners and mountain bikers in the uplands of Northumberland but also the search and rescue of missing children and vulnerable adults in rural and urban settings.

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Their operational area covers the whole of Northumberland and Tyne and Wear.

Mountain rescue volunteers are wanted from Northumberland.Mountain rescue volunteers are wanted from Northumberland.
Mountain rescue volunteers are wanted from Northumberland.

Team members are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week and have provided support to the public throughout the pandemic.

All new recruits will be given comprehensive training.

The closing date is February 14 and if anyone is interested, they should email [email protected] for an application pack.

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