VOLUNTEERS from Wiltshire Search and Rescue (WILSAR) were called out on average once a week during 2016.

The team responded to police calls for help in finding vulnerable, missing people 43 times, which included saving the lives of two people they found and were asked a further eight times to assist with neighbouring search and rescue teams.

This week Inspector Paul Saunders from Wiltshire Police praised and thanked the service for its contribution and many hours given free of charge to the community.

“When you speak to a Wiltshire Search and Rescue volunteer their pride in what they do and their dedication to their craft is tangible," said Insp Saunders.

" Their willingness to be on call, at all hours of the day, for no reward other than knowing they have been directly involved in saving lives does them credit. Wiltshire Police is very pleased to be associated with them and look forward to continuing the close working relationship that exists between us.

“The initial stages of a High Risk missing person investigation are crucial in terms of getting the right resources in the right place as soon as possible. The welfare of the missing person is paramount. As well as utilising specialist police resources, such as air support, police search advisor (PolSA) and dog units, it is imperative that we contact and deploy Wiltshire Search and Rescue as soon as we are in a position to do so."

And Insp Saunders added: "Knowing that we can bring Wiltshire Search and Rescue volunteers to standby at the start of an investigation and then move to callout as soon as we have some defined search parameters, means that the PolSA can plan the most effective search strategy under the circumstances."

In 2016 the Wiltshire Search and Rescue team gave up 10,071 hours of their time to help missing or vulnerable people. If this was converted into an average police officer’s wage, it would cost the taxpayer over £180,000.

For every hour that a volunteer team member spends searching for missing and vulnerable people, they spent another eight hours taking part in vital training or attending update sessions to ensure the smooth running of the organisation.

Nearly 80 training events took place in 2016 including joint training exercises with the other emergency services. The most common areas that we were deployed to in 2016 were Swindon (15) and Salisbury (7).

Adrian Sawyer, Chair of Wiltshire Search and Rescue, added: “The statistics for 2016 show what a vital role we play in supporting the emergency services. We directly helped to save the lives of two people last year who would have died if they had not been found and given lifesaving treatments by Wiltshire Search and Rescue volunteers.”

Wiltshire Search and Rescue takes new trainee volunteers twice a year and puts them through a rigorous training programme before they go away for a weekend course to finalise their skills and to gain their Search Technician qualification.

Currently 20 trainees are learning basic medical skills, working alongside experienced volunteers and expert paramedics.

They’re also learning how to search, how to navigate, use radio communications and have undertaken a proof of fitness walk before they’re made fully operational. They will then be able to join the more experienced team members on live searches, on-call 24/7 to support when needed.