Welcome to the Avon & Somerset Search and Rescue Website.

Providing assistance to those who are far from help.

Formal recognition from Avon & Somerset Police for our valuable work, pdf.

Link to Gloucester Constabulary press conference with reference to the recent and ongoing flooding.http://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/news/2068.html.

Thankyou letters from Avon Somerset Police and Great Western Ambulance for our work during the 2007 floods (pdf's).

30th Anniversary Black Tie Ball pictures.

A&S SAR Team History

AVON GORGE Cliff Rescue cover of Avon was originally provided by the Police as the City and Council of Bristol Police Force Rocks Rescue Unit. Approximately 1981 - Police Rocks Rescue Unit was disbanded & its duties were absorbed into the role of the Avon Rocks Rescue Team (ARRT), which was formed in 1976 & was working in parallel at the time; this organisation was made up mainly of climbing instructors working for local government.

CHEDDAR GORGE No Cliff Rescue cover was in place for this area, & it was opening to a wider climbing audience; Lord Bath (Longleat Estates), was being advised to prohibit climbing in the Gorge due to difficulty of recovery & liability etc. An agreement was reached whereby the Climbers would form a rescue team to provide this cover & climbing would continue to be permitted. The Cheddar Gorge Cliff Rescue Team (CGCRT) was consequently formed in 1977

AMALGAMATION Both teams continued in parallel & over time, the membership became common to both teams, this required a needless duplication of roles etc, & Circa 1990 ARRT and CGCRT merged to create Avon and Somerset Cliff Rescue team.

SEARCH By 1997, The Police recognised that ASCRT had capabilities beyond just Cliff & this resulted in them requesting that we develop the capability to react to the additional requirement of Search & Rescue, with increase in service demand an increase in manpower, the resulted in the inclusion of the Mendip Hill Ranger Service Wardens. Consequently the ASCRT was re-modelled & in response to Avon & Somerset Police request was in November 2006 re-named Avon & Somerset Search & Rescue as it was felt this more accurately represented the teams main role. In 2000 Search Management capabilities were introduced to further enhance our operational capabilities.  

STANDARD OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES (SOP) In 1998 we became the first team in the country to develop a documented system covering all operational & non-operational aspects of the organisation. This was subsequently presented to the Avon & Somerset Police to more formally specify our capabilities etc. this document was subsequently delivered to the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) by our Chief Constable & became the template for other teams to follow.

WATER MARGIN In 2006 & in addition to Technical Rescue / Search & Rescue we once again at the request of the Police, started investigating the capability to carry out water margin search; this is in it's infancy & is an exiting & new role for us to fulfil.

Civil Contingencies Act 2004 In 2005 , the implementation of this act called for many considerations regarding emergency action planning & A&S SAR are actively contributing to this process. In 2007, directly as a result of this act, we have signed Compacts of Common Purpose (Memorandums of Understanding), with the Police Ambulance and Fire & Rescue Services; these agreements pave the way for closer working relationships & joined up rescue, to provide a better service to the community.

MEMBERSHIP We currently have over 80 members 50 of which are active 24 hours a day 365 days a year to help rescue people in the Avon & Somerset & surrounding areas, helping the local authorities save lives. We can also be mobilised in support of other teams nationally, with trained & competent personnel fulfilling Technical, water margin, search, search management & major incident management.

Registered Charity Number 278002.