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kinder mountain rescue team members

Kinder Mountain Rescue Team is made up of people from a wide range of backgrounds. The one thing that we all have in common is an interest in walking and climbing in the Peak District and elsewhere, along with a desire to help those in distress in our wilderness areas.

Most of us come from the Hayfield and New Mills area in the Derbyshire Peak District. We also have members from the Marple and Stockport areas. Should anyone apply to join from outside our operational area, we are obliged to ask them to apply to their local team. We will not turn them away if they live or work within a 30 minute drive of Hayfield, providing they have a specific wish to join the Kinder Mountain Rescue Team.

Special Note - If you live or work more than 30 minutes driving time from Hayfield (Derbyshire, England), then we suggest that you approach your local Mountain Rescue Team. See our General Interest area on the left for links to other Mountain Rescue Teams.

Roles and Responsibilities

In common with many Mountain Rescue Teams we appoint a number of officers to perform specific roles within the organisation.

The key positions are usually held by people with several years of experience in Mountain Rescue, however anyone can express an interest in a post at any time after becoming a full member. The posts are described below.

Some posts are contested and voted in at Annual meetings. Some are appointed by the executive committee. Dog handlers are appointed on completion of the relevant SARDA training.

Mountain Rescue Team Leader

Leads search and rescue operations, and works with the Deputies and lead officers to maintain the operational readiness and efficiency of team.

Deputy Team Leaders (2)

Take key roles in the running of any search and rescue operation. They lead call-outs when the Team Leader is not available. Deputies also assist the leader with the general running of the team.

Team Doctor(s)

Local Doctors can be hill team members, on-call medical advisors, or first aid trainers.

Chairman

Assists the team leader in representing the team to outside organisations. Ensures that the team meets its organisational responsibilities.

Secretary

Our primary interface to the public and prospective members. Responsible for the production of the minutes of team meetings and newsletters.

Treasurer

Responsible for all financial matters, income, expenditure, audit and reporting.

Radio and Lighting Officer

Responsible for all communications equipment, plus the personal lighting equipment carried by hill parties when on call-out.

Training Officer

Responsible for the training schedule and monitors all team members to ensure that they have met the minimum training requirements for an operational team member.

Equipment Officer

Ensures that all non personal equipment such as ropes and stretchers are fully serviceable, in date, and available for immediate use.

First Aid Officer

Schedules and conducts First Aid training in conjunction with the team doctor(s). Ensures that all first aid supplies, equipment, drugs and gases are ready for use and in date.

Call-Out Officers

Husbands, wives, partners or people associated with the team, are sometimes asked to assist with call-out procedure and team communications when individual phone calls are required.

Dog Handler

Each handler belongs to the Search and Rescue Dogs Association (SARDA) as well as being a local team member. Training and Certification is managed by SARDA, and a handler may be called to assist in any area in support of another team.

Vehicle Officer

Responsible for the maintenance and availability of team vehicles. Also makes sure that onboard equipment is correctly stowed and ready for use.

Public Relations Officer

Develops relationships with the local press and media to ensure that the work of the team is publicised and fairly represented.

IT Officer

In charge of the teams IT equipment and making sure that the team is keeping up with technological advances.

Social Secretary

Gets the hardest job of all. Organising the annual dinner dance and weekends away.

Fundraiser

Responsible for organising fundraising events and bidding to potential funders for operating costs and special project funding.