Saving lives in wild and remote places
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Saving lives in wild and remote places
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The coordination of search and rescue in the UK is undertaken by the Police under common law, with the oath of a constable, to protect life and property. Incidents on sea cliffs are coordinated by HM Coastguard although in some areas joint arrangements are in place.
Mountain Rescue Teams are members of regional organisations (these can be found in the handbook and on the web site). These regional organisations have a role coordinating operations involving multiple teams, and other organisations such as the police and the RAF and RN helicopters. They also organise a considerable amount of training on a regional basis.
The regional organisations are all members of the Mountain Rescue Council of England and Wales (the MRC), the national co-ordinating body for Mountain Rescue in England and Wales (in Scotland this role is played by the Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland). Other members of the MRC include: the British Cave Rescue Council, the Search and Rescue Dog Associations, the Association of Chief Police Officers, HM Coastguard, RAF Search and Rescue, Ofcom, the Fire Service Inspectorate, The Sports Council and the Association of Chief Ambulance Officers.
The MRC is a voluntary body and a registered charity. Its main function is to liaise on behalf of the teams with the various government departments in the running of mountain and cave rescue and to arrange such items as the provision of communications, stretchers and first aid equipment.
The MRC maintains public liability insurance for team members and the provision of accident insurance for team members when they are training or operational. It publishes a range of material including The Mountain Rescue Handbook and a range of useful statistical and research material, details of which can be found on the publications page.
