OCTOBER 2010

Donegal Mountain Rescue needs more volunteers

Donegal Mountain Rescue Team (DMRT) is looking to recruit enthusiastic new members. Due to the significant increase in the number of call-outs DMRT has received in the last two years the team is recruiting for new volunteers for the emergency service. The number of call-outs has quadrupled recently as a result of the growing increase in hill walking and the numbers of people enjoying Donegal's great outdoors.

This year the team has already been involved in more than 40 call-outs, last year the total was 54. But Muff based Joe Pond - DMR Team leader said early last month that the team could see 2010 figures for call-outs rise as high as 70. In comparison seven years ago the team was involved in 12 call-outs over the year.

Donegal Mountain Rescue Team are a 24 hour a day, 365 day a year voluntary emergency response team that provides emergency search and rescue response in extreme terrain and mountain conditions throughout the county. The team is seeking people with a strong interest in mountaineering activities who have a high level of commitment and who are reasonably fit and experienced in hill walking and climbing. Recruits should also have some navigation and hill skills as well as a commitment to participating in regular team training and call-outs. Recruitment is open to people over the age of 18 who live within one hour of Donegal's mountainous areas.

It takes about one to two years to progress from being a probationary member to qualifying as a full operational member. The Donegal Mountain Rescue training programme covers four core areas: mountain operations, search and rescue operations, casualty care and operations co-ordination.

The team is also interested in hearing from members of the public who may be interested in assisting with the various other duties involved in running a voluntary mountain rescue team including organising fundraising days and events, general administration and vehicle maintenance among other work.

The closing date for applications is Friday 29th October 2010.

For an information and application pack visit the teams website at www.donegalmrt.ie or send an email to secretary@donegalmrt.ie

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