PCC praises brave volunteers
A group of volunteers who assist police in searches for missing persons have been praised by the Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioner.
Staffordshire Search and Rescue consists of 72 volunteers aged from 18 upwards who work in partnership with police to help find vulnerable and high risk missing persons.
There were 3000 ‘missing person’ calls to Staffordshire Police last year, with the group called out to help when searches spread to more hazardous terrains.
This year, they have assisted with 30 searches so far, using equipment ranging from kayaks to canoes, a power boat, a 4x4 response vehicle, an ambulance, a control vehicle – to help coordinate searches with police – mountain bikes, medical provisions and other first aid equipment.
The volunteer ‘family’ also includes three dogs, specially-trained to detect missing individuals using airborne scent.
Staffordshire PCC Matthew Ellis, who handed over £3,000 towards the groups upkeep last year, said: "These search and rescue volunteers are the little known heroes of Staffordshire –the emergency service you might have never heard of – and more people need to know about its work.
"These are unpaid volunteers who give up their spare time and pass up the comfort of their own homes to help those caught up in life-threatening situations across our region.
"We forget that Staffordshire has vast areas of open space, moorlands and rivers – all are potentially hazardous areas.
"Staffordshire Search and Rescue saves lives, helps others and its personnel are ready to drop everything to tackle, quite often, the most unforgiving and treacherous places.
"I am delighted to support this cause."
Staffordshire Search and Rescue estimates that it costs in the region of £25,000 to support its service – mainly for the maintenance of equipment, insurance, fuel for vehicles and general costs.
Apart from the assistance offered by Mr Ellis, its upkeep is reliant on fund-raising and public goodwill.
PR officer Rachel Good said: "We are extremely grateful to the OPCC for its financial commitment to Staffordshire Search and Rescue.
"We are often called out to the most vulnerable people or those who are in the grips of the most distressing period of their lives.
"Every penny we receive is crucial to our existence – it really is the lifeblood of our service.
"Without it we wouldn’t exist."
To donate to the Staffordshire Search and Rescue, visit https://mydonate.bt.com/charities/staffordshiresearchandrescueteam
