After many years of struggling with an old box trailer they towed to major incident scenes to use as a communications base,  the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue team now have a brand new Incident Control vehicle packed with state of the art communications . It took the team over four years to raise the required funds plus many months of setting out a very detailed specification both for the vehicle and then the communications equipment for the demanding rescue work they perform in the Dales.
 

The vehicle finally chosen was a short wheel base 4x4 VW Transporter with special off road tyres and front and rear swivel seats.  In addition to the hi tec communications equipment Mountain Rescue teams now use, it needed to be able to transport up to four control and communications team members, and with a specialised heater that didn't require the engine running . A further development has been the 40 foot electronic mast that is extended by the simple push of a button -a major technological advance from the days of manhandling an antennae against the elements. The wish list seemed to be never ending but with the help of the North Yorkshire Police who have had similar conversions , a specialist firm James Alpe of Clitheroe was found who met all the requirements with the vehicle delivered this month.

 

Transport Officer Mike Brown is delighted at this huge advance for the team  ' The old trailer was 30 years old and just had a couple of radios inside and with no heating. It was pretty grim in winter and as it only had room for one person discussions with our controllers  the police and other key personnel had to done outside against the elements. We had to make the old trailer work but it was hard going .  First of all it needed towing and trying not to take up one of our two Land Rovers it tended to arrive on the back of one of the team member's car which then couldnt get over rough terrain. We are all volunteers and whilst we are all willing to go out in all weather conditions on the fells or down caves if someone needs help, I must say we are truly thrilled at the facility ,it really has been such a boost to us to have this wonderful vehicle at our disposal'

 

Mike, who lives in Skipton, is a Site Manager and Outdoor Pursuits Teacher at a school near Grassington. In addition to running the rescue vehicles he is also an experienced  caver and climber, he adds  'The funds came from fundraising events organised and attended by team members and their partners. It had of course to be in addition to the £35,000 we need each year just to keep going and we cannot thank the local people enough for their generosity' 

 

The Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue team, based in Grassington, is the third oldest team in the country and consists of over 80 highly trained volunteers who are on call  365 days a year .In their 63 years of service they have never failed to provide a team when asked to do so by the North Yorkshire Police  Last year was a record with some 40 call outs .They are one of only three teams in the country who perform both surface and underground rescues - all three are in the Yorkshire Dales