Firefighter Chris Greenhalgh from Broughton Firefighters Manchester UK, Green Watch, lives in the town of Bolton which is about 10 miles north of Broughton. He is also a member of Bolton Mountain Rescue Team (BMRT)
BMRT are a voluntary search and rescue service for the West Pennine Moors, but besides searching for missing or injured hill walkers and people involved in mountain biking and climbing accidents, (which is usually the first thing pictured when the phrase "mountain rescue" is mentioned) they are also heavily involved in other happenings.
Their past callouts have involved crashed aircraft, hang gliders and parapenters. Generally, however, where there is a problem locating victims, or the terrain surrounding a casualty is difficult to access, it is likely that your mountain rescue team is involved.
Several times a year they also provide standby rescue cover for events held within their area. They can often be spotted at orienteering events, fell races, sponsored walks, and mountain bike races.
They are a key resource to the other emergency services, our specialist skills being recognised and respected by Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cheshire Police who utilise them (along with other teams) to help in search and rescue operations, alongside use by the Ambulance services. The team also works with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, assisting at high-line rescues (structures as well as the more familiar rock faces and steep ground) and moorland firefighting operations.
Besides their upland moorland area, they also operate throughout the lowland areas of Bolton, Salford, Wigan, Trafford, Manchester South, and the western half of Bury. They are also called upon to assist other teams in North Manchester, the eastern half of Bury, Tameside, Rochdale, Oldham, North Cheshire and South Lancashire.
Chris organised a training day with us at Broughton Fire Station so we could familiarise ourselves with the type of equipment they use and also to give us an insight to the work they do.
Click on the thumbnails below to view the pictures of their vehicles
and equipment
