Coniston Mountain Rescue Team will be our Speaker followed by Dinner - Host Richard Johnston

A talk on the work of the Coniston Mountain Rescue Team to
The Rotary Club of Furness by Jeff Carroll and Anthony Robinson
Anthony explained, to start, that the Coniston Mountain Rescue Team was formed in April 1947 after a
fruitless search of a snow covered fell by Lancashire Police without the correct clothing or footwear ( in their uniforms and service footwear). The casualty was found after two weeks by a farmer. This means in effect that the team members are special constables attached to the emergency services.
The Coniston Team were the first mountain rescue organisation to be formed in England.
Anthony joined the team in 1963 and Jeff in 1986 and obviously, since the early days, there have been big improvements in equipment, training etc.
The Team cover an area across the Coniston Fells and have three Landrovers, two of which are fitted as Ambulances, the other a reinforced people carrier at a total estimated replacement cost of £150,000. This and normal running costs of the team costing £25,000 per year, means that fundraising is also a priority for the organisation.
Last year the Team covered 66 incidents (over one per week), one of the busiest years they have had so far. As well as fell and crag rescues, the team also rescue people why have fallen down disused mine shafts.
Each rescue presents its own challenges, search as well as rescue, often involving dangerous situations, both over and underground, with helicopter support from the Coastguard and Air Ambulance.
All active Team Members undergo comprehensive and ongoing training.
Casualty care under the auspices of the Ambulance service with rigorous exams to pass both practical and theory
Driver training with the Police, including the appropriate use of blue lights and sirens on public roads. Training with the Coastguard helicopter Service, on winching, hand signalling and what to do in an emergency.
A fortnightly training course, in house, on roping techniques for handling stretchers and casualties, in crag and underground incidents.
The Rescue Team also have two Dog Handlers with their search dogs, who are members of the Lake District Search and Rescue Dogs Association. Both Handlers and Dogs undergo a rigorous Training programme to bring them up to the required standard.
All the Team Members are unpaid and Jeff gave us an insight as to why he volunteered for such a rigorous, demanding and dangerous job. He said it was, firstly, the enjoyment, camaraderie and banter that went on within the team. Secondly the great feeling and buzz that you get when a job has been done well and the whole team has pulled together with maximum effort and ability.
Jeff and Anthony also told us numerous stories about incidents, some amusing, some miraculous and some tragic.
After a short question session, Rotarian Richard Johnston thanked Anthony and Jeff for a very frank, enjoyable and revealing talk on the work of the Coniston Mountain Rescue Team. Rotarians responded warmly in the usual way