Recruit Assessment Day

Today was a significant milestone in our recruitment programme for new Search & Rescue members. It was way back in January that we advertised for new members and later (Feb & March) held open sessions at our Base, which were opportunities for people to meet Team members and to learn what membership involves.

There then followed an application process which culminated in today’s assessment for those candidates who made it through to this stage. After kit-checks, they were put through their paces starting off with a morning-long navigation and hill-fitness session covering a number of miles on the north York Moors.

After a break for lunch, they got hands-on during equipment demonstrations before completing a mock rescue exercise as an introduction to stretcher work. Well done to everyone who took part – the weather was hot but thankfully it stayed dry. Final decisions will be made at a Committee meeting next month so it will be an anxious wait for them until then. We would like to thank all of them for their commitment throughout a tough day on the hill. Good luck!

Also, many thanks to all of our Team members who took part in the assessment process today and in yesterday’s preparation (when we spent the day walking the same tracks to double-check the navigation routes – and we even managed to fit in a separate ‘back-up’ rope rescue exercise in the afternoon).

And a very special ‘thank you’ to Team member Rachael who has spent the last six months coordinating with the candidates and for organising / leading today’s assessment.

A selection of photos from the day (with permission of those involved).