Always Ready to Respond

Training is at the heart of everything we do. Every operational team member takes part in regular training to maintain their skills, learn new techniques and stay fully proficient. Training isn’t optional — it’s a vital way we make sure we can respond safely and effectively whenever we’re called out.

Each member maintains a personal logbook of their core skills and specialist qualifications through the TIER training system (Training, Incidents, Equipment and Reporting). This national database, designed for emergency services, helps us track competence, plan sessions and record all continuing professional development (CPD) activity. Every team member also completes an annual proficiency and fitness test to confirm their readiness for operational duties.

National Standards, Local Focus

Our training programme follows the guidelines of Mountain Rescue England & Wales (MREW) but is adapted to suit the unique challenges of our local environment.

The Brecon Beacons and surrounding areas offer a wide range of terrains — from rugged mountains and rivers to forests and rural lowlands. Increasingly, we’re called to assist not only in mountainous environments but also in urban searches, water rescues, missing person incidents and flood response operations.

Every hill member is trained to take part in all types of search and rescue activities, while some go on to develop advanced skills in specialist roles.

Specialist Roles and Modules

We maintain operational capability across more than 180 training modules, each covering a specific skill or role within the team. These include:

• Party Leader
• Search Manager
• Operational Support Member
• DEFRA Module 2 or 3 Water Rescue Technician
• DEFRA Module 5 Water Incident Manager
• Canoe or Kayak Search Team Member
• Remote Rescue Medical Technician
• Off-Road Driver
• Drone Operator
• Blue Light Response Driver

The TIER system helps us monitor these modules, schedule refreshers and alert members when updates or re-qualifications are due. This ensures every volunteer stays up to date and capable in their designated role.

Training Schedule

Training sessions take place on Wednesday evenings and on the first Sunday of every month. These sessions combine classroom learning, practical fieldwork and scenario-based exercises to simulate real-life rescues.

In addition to operational training, members are expected to attend specialist courses and fundraising events throughout the year — from technical seminars and medical updates to search management workshops.