2024CALLOUTS 12
2023: 51 Callouts | 2022: 61 Callouts
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Joining the Search & Rescue Team

Joining as a Search and Rescue member

The 2024 application process for Search & Rescue membership is now open (BUT YOU MUST CONTACT US AT THE VERY LATEST BY 12TH MARCH 2024).

This is a voluntary, unpaid role. The following sections provide a general overview of the recruitment and probationary process – as you read through, please bear in mind the TIME and COMMITMENT involved in being a member!

You must be aged 18-years or over and be fit and healthy enough to undertake physical tasks in all weathers. You must be a regular hill-walker and able to move across open moorland and difficult, sometimes steep, terrain. Experience with other outdoor activities such as climbing or mountaineering is not required but you must have the equipment and skills necessary to look after yourself outdoors in all weathers, including navigating using a map and compass by day and night.

You must also be willing to work as part of a team, live in our operational area (see map on this page), have regular access to your own transport and be prepared to commit a very significant amount of your time. Do not underestimate the time commitment involved – not just for call-outs (which can come at anytime, often in the early hours of a morning) but also for our weekly Wednesday evening training sessions and at least five practice weekends a year. In addition there is an expectation that you will be available for a wide range of events including assisting with fundraising activities – these tend to be additional weekend commitments. Also bear in mind the potential disruption to your life; as already mentioned, call-outs can come at anytime of the day or night, sometimes lasting for many hours and often interrupting family and social plans.

If you are interested in applying – you must first pre-register to attend the one remaining Open Session to be held at our Base near Great Ayton on Wednesday 13th March 2024 (1930-2130). This will be an opportunity to meet Team members and to find out more about what the application process and membership involves. Please do not just ‘turn up’ without first registering via the email below.

If having attended the Open Session you still wish to continue with an application, you will then be required to submit an application form by the end of March and, subject to an assessment of that, you may be invited to an Assessment Day on Sunday 30th June 2024. That session will include a daytime navigation exercise using map & compass. It will be mandatory to attend on that day; no other assessment days will be offered.

If you are successful on the assessment day you will be required to attend training sessions as a ‘prospective member’ for a period of 10-12 weeks between September and December, normally held every Wednesday evening plus at least one weekend. If you cannot commit the time to attend the majority of those sessions then you should not apply! During that period you must pass a night-time navigation exercise using map & compass.

You will be required to submit to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

At the end of this initial training period your progress will be considered by the Committee and if satisfactory you will progress to ‘probationary status’ and subsequently become liable for call-out.

You would then have to complete a minimum of 12-months as a Search and Rescue probationer and be subject to continuous training and assessment during that time. Only after the 12-month point, will the Committee decide whether or not to make you a full Team member.

In addition to acquiring technical search and rescue skills, you must realise that you will be joining a dedicated team of volunteers, where team-work is not simply an addition to the normal workload, but is an integral part of the role. It is again stressed that the time commitment is significant and should not be underestimated!

If you wish to apply you must register your interest for the aforementioned Open Session (Wed 13th March 2024) via recruitment@clevelandmrt.org.uk. Please remember that we are all volunteers so it might take a day or two to reply.


Join the team

Applications can be made to join the team in a support role (Operational Support) or as a hill going (Search and Rescue) member.

Applications for either role can be made at any time. Intakes for Operational Support members occur at various times of the year. There is one annual intake for Search and Rescue normally each September.

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