ERTSAR is one of the responding teams on the DEFRA asset list for flooding in the Oxfordshire area, and this boat and engine combination will be used for such deploments, including all types of swift water and river rescue incidents.

Justin, Martin and David spent the day prepping and running the engine in, travelling up and down the river. The new engine was put to use in the first minutes after it was started - its first 'rescue' - the team helped a local family who's boat was adrift on the river with a broken engine!

With up-coming events that we provide water rescue cover for such as the Thames Traditional Boat Rally plus ERTSAR marine unit training in the next few weeks and months, be sure to keep an eye out for our boat and team if you are in the area.

We are always keen to cover more events where a water safety patrol is required and can provide our service which includes water rescue technicians, rescue patrol boats, medics and first-aiders, 4X4s, medical gazeebo and more. If you have any particular requirements, please get in touch. Covering events increases public awareness of ERTSAR and also helps to bring in much needed donations.

Dave and Martin discuss launching the boat.

At the presentation there will be a chance to meet and talk to the UK Commanders, Unit Heads and members of the ERTSAR team, plus get an insight into the life-saving work that we do internationally and here in the UK.

UK Commanders Justin and Amanda, Casper the search dog and handler Jonathan along with some of the ERTSAR team, pictured with our new rescue boat!

We are looking for dynamic people with a keen interest in international disaster response and charity work, who would like to get involved on the ‘non-operational’ team to help us increase public awareness, raise much needed funds and help us meet our fund raising target for the year. It is also a chance for us to say a big thank you to all of our supporters in the local area - Henley Business School, River Rowing Museum, Simmons and Sons, Hobbs of Henley, Copas Temple Island Meadows and Dr Raymond Crockett - it would be great if you or a representative could come along for the morning. We are also keen to meet local businesses who may be able to help the charity in any way they can.

For those of you interested in getting involved 'hands-on' on the operational team, you're more than welcome to attend, however this is NOT a Level 1 membership induction day. We have had many keen people requesting to join and we shall be holding an induction later in the year.

Please contact us as soon as possible to reserve your place!

The first day started with some classroom based lectures on water and rope rescue techniques, team SOPs, kit and equipment usage and PLAN survival awareness. After lunch we headed off to the river where the team got a chance to get hands-on with practical training on boat work, self rescue and throwbag usage.

After a day on the river, it was time to relax and socialise for an evening meal and some well deserved rest, before heading back to the campsite to set up for the evening.

As night closed in the team set about learning and practising one of the most important survival skills - lighting a fire without the use of matches or gas lighters. Before everybody became too warm and cosy, it was on to a night search and rescue exercise where a mis-per was located and transported to safety, before everybody turned in for some much needed sleep!

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The next morning it was an early start and on to the cliff for some rope training. This was a time for members to familiarise themselves with new kit and practice abseiling, setting up anchors and belaying.

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Members of the ERTSAR team must be ready to push themselves when required, even after a busy and tiring day, so once the rope training was over we moved straight on to the fitness and navigation test which all three teams passed with flying colours.

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Well done to all new and exisiting members who took part in the first Level 2 Operational Training Course of the year. Fortunately the weather held out and it was nice and sunny for the 5 mile fitness test and search and rescue scenario.

Team members on Mis-Per search exercise.

Team 'Romeo 2' just about to finish the fitness test!

Mis-Per located and being packaged onto ParaGuard stretcher for extraction.

Team debriefing following successful search and rescue scenario.

If you are interested in volunteering with us, please fill out the application for via the link on the Join Us page and we will keep you informed as to when the next induction will be held.

The guys and girls at GE Aviation, along with our friends from Catalyst PT (www.catalystpt.co.uk) raised a bit of a sweat as well as £300 for the charity, at a 2.5 hour circuit training marathon bootcamp!

Our warmest thanks go out to all involved.

The two and half hour fitness marathon for GE Aviation employees, their families and friends will be joined by members of the ERTSAR team, as Gen Levrant the Catalyst instructor, gives you a great workout all in aid of a great cause.

You’ll be running, jumping, skipping, squatting, punching, pushing and by the end probably panting.

ERTSAR Commander Justin Levine added: “We really appreciate your fund raising efforts and support at ERTSARHQ! Thanks to all those who plan on attending and giving their time. Your donations will help us continue the work that we do, so that others may live. And we can only continue due to the kindess of people such as yourselves.”

Gen told us: “Following the success of our last Bootcamperthon at The Rose Bowl, GE decided to run their own to raise even money for ERT. I have been teaching weekly bootcamp classes at GE Aviation for a while now and have seen both the staff and the gym facility itself come a long way! The Bootcamperthon will be a great way to end the year and we are all very much looking forward to it” concluded Gen.

To find out more or to hold a similar event at your company, contact Gen on 02380 471 973 or email contact@catalystpt.co.uk . Information about Catalyst Personal Training is available here www.catalystpt.co.uk.

Team members Pinky and Nuvnish in Barnet.

This December the team provided medical cover to two Xmas light town fairs - Princes Risborough on the 2nd and Barnet on the 3rd.

Along with the other services we offer through the year, we always enjoy the xmas light street festivals and parties. Our job is to make sure that everyone getting into the Christmas spirit remains safe and well. Our paramedics, medical technicians and first aiders are available on patrol and at our med-tent to anyone who may need our help.

It was a non-stop fitness slog for 2.5 hours as around twenty people went through each station at the circuit with only a few short stops for water. Events included stair running, pressups, punchbags, dancing (thanks Charlie - who even participated with his broken ankle!), weights, trolly dash and a whole load more! Everyone pushed themselves to the point of exhaustion and were all still smiling at the end.

We really appreciated the effort that Gen and James put in to get the event organised so quickly and a big thank you to everyone who turned up on the day.

Money raised will go toward new rescue equipment and medical kit for international and national missions, replacing boats used by our marine unit and expanding and improving each of our specialist areas. Money raised also goes to a large reserve fund for the team to deploy nationally in the UK or internationally to any of the major disasters around the world and to provide the team with essential items for disaster deployment missions.

Our Canine-SAR Unit Head, Jonathan held an introductory training and dog socialisation morning for the newest potential member of our dog team, Neo the Retriever.

The introduction covers basic dog-handling skills and gives us an idea of the ability and temperament of the dog. To become a successful member of the unit, a dog has to be well-behaved, obedient and unphased by the sometimes chaotic and noisy surroundings they may have to work in.

As part of the introduction day Jonathan exposes the new dog to new sights, sounds and situations. A first test is to put a hi-vis vest on the dog. After that we are looking to see how they react around other dogs, loud noises, new people and water. Neo was introduced to other search dogs Casper and Blondie. The handler is also tested in giving commands and working the dog.

Jonathan working with handler Dave and Neo.

Casper wearing DFD and supply pouches.

Neo enjoying water retrieval training.

Dave teaching STAY command to Neo.