Mountain Rescue - A year in

As a qualified Mountain Leader with a love of the mountains and a desire to volunteer towards a good cause, I looked towards my local Mountain Rescue Team, namely Holme Valley MRT based at Marsden on the outskirts of Huddersfield.

An online application mid-year was the first step of the ladder and then towards the end of the year I received an email inviting me to attend an induction date with 24 other candidates. The induction day consisted of chats with last year’s trainees, an informal interview with some of the team leaders and a guided tour around the team's Head Quarters at Marsden. The afternoon consisted of some moorland navigation exercises, and a first aid scenario. I thought I did okay, but the level of competence from the other attendees was clearly very high.

What followed then was a nail biting 24 hours waiting for the phone call to see if I had made the final cut. The following day I got that phone call to say that I had been successful and a week later I was on my first Tuesday evening training session with 11 other very capable trainees.

Over the next few months I attended monthly trainee evening sessions, monthly team exercises and various other events representing the team. I was desperate to try and maintain a decent attendance level, but my works shift pattern meant I was missing some key training sessions. However, towards the end of the year I managed to change my shift pattern where I was able to attend more training sessions and eventually managed to catch up with some missed key training areas. I must add though, that there was no pressure from the team for me to catch up, this was purely a personal choice as I wanted to try and maintain the high standards that the team constantly demonstrates.

Towards the end of the year we had the dreaded final assessment; 6 different scenarios over 17 hours in some horrendous weather. We had some invaluable help from other full team members that had sacrificed their Friday night to come and help us trainees carrying various stretchers and equipment to and from some difficult terrain. At the end of a very cold and wet assessment we found that we had all passed and were no longer trainees but now probationers for 6 months.

So, what have I learnt over the last 12 months? Apart from learning lots of new skills I have met some fantastic folk, made lots of new friends and I am now part of the Mountain Rescue family. I have an overriding feeling that I am doing something good to benefit and help others. The team are super professional, with plenty of knowledge from all members of the team, who are all non-judgemental and all willing to help.

So, what’s next? Now as the proud owner of the prestigious red Jacket I want to get through the next 6 months probationary period and become a full team call out member. I’m also keen to join the water rescue section, help the next set of trainees through their training as much as possible, help promote the team’s profile and raise some much-needed cash for what is undoubtedly a fantastic charity.