All operational team members train to maintain their skills, learn new techniques and remain proficient. Training is not optional: members must maintain a logbook in both core skills and any specialisms using the TIER system. As if that wasn’t enough every team member has to pass an annual proficiency and fitness test.

Training is the responsibility of Mark Jones, Deputy Team Leader. His training programme is based on national guidelines produced by Mountain Rescue England & Wales and tailored to our local needs. Each member’s training is logged using a training database called TIER that is a specialist piece of software that has been produced for the emergency services. TIER stands for Training, Incidents, Equipment & Reporting. 

Mountains are a very diverse environment and these days we are more than just a “mountain” rescue team. We are regularly called to any incident where the statutory services require a specialist search and rescue team. This may involve helping an injured walker on the mountains, searching for someone living with dementia in a rural setting, assisting with an urban flooding incident, a car crash off a road on steep ground and so on. All hill members are expected to be able to carry out most activities to effect a search or rescue. There are also more specialist operational roles within the team, such as:

• Hill Member
• Party Leader
• Search Manager
• Operational Support Member
• Defra Module 2 or 3 Water Rescue Teams
• Defra Module 5 Water Incident Manager
• Canoe or Kayak Search Team
• Casualty Carer
• Off Road Driver
• Drone Operator
• Blue Light Response Driver

We need to maintain operational capability across all these roles so we have training modules attributed to each role (currently 183 in total!). TIER makes the management of this training possible and records any CPD activity on call outs. It alerts members when modules are due to expire and when the next training session is scheduled. So in the past, where we used to say that you had to attend × number of training sessions a year, we are now able to ensure that members are receiving the training they need to remain qualified in a role and link through to online training resources.

Mark is assisted in the management of TIER by Rob Williams.

New member training by Neal Parry & Huw Rogers.

Driver training by Huw Williams.

ATV Driver training by Dave Coombs & James Hartnell.

Water training by Ash Stamford-Plows with Neal Parry, Dom Turpin,

Brian Mitchell & Dave Janes instructing on team and regional courses.

UAV (drone) training by Steve Covington.

Casualty Care by Dr Rob Powell - Rob also leads on the running of the regional Casualty Care course for all mountain & cave rescue teams in south & mid Wales.

Training takes place on Wednesday evenings and the first Sunday of every month. This is supplemented by regional South Wales Search and Rescue Association joint training. Team members are also expected to attend fund raising events and specialist courses, such as search management, field skills and technical seminars. 

So what does all this work translate into? 

Being able to deal with any situation we are presented with…