The team is now extremely pleased to announce that after just 4 short months and a lot of hard work, it has been able to secure funding for its next major project: an all-new custom-made technical rescue
vehicle. A significant amount of work, development, and support has gone into completing the final requirements of the vehicle and its fit out. Based on a 2021 Mercedes-Benz Vans UK Sprinter All Wheel Drive, modified to carry four passengers and driver, provide onboard 240v power, carry all the swift water and technical rescue equipment, as well as being able to transport stretcher bound casualties; this will once again take the teams capabilities even further supporting Northamptonshire Police & Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service. The vehicle planned to come online in Jan 2022.
“Community funding success”
Thanks go to the following supporters for proving grants of support. £20,000 from the players of the
People's Postcode Lottery, £15,000 from David Laing Foundation, £8,727 from the Northamptonshire OPFCC, £7,270 from the The National Lottery, and £1,000 from the Maud Elkinton Trust, providing a total of £51,542. The team also want to express a huge thank you to Mercedes Benz commercial vehicles for providing a significant discount on their latest premium based model.
“Devastating floods spurred on project”
Last year’s devastating floods in the county, spurred the team to accelerate its plans for a new vehicle. With the teams’ swift water rescue team and bank side trained members spending several days helping trapped and beleaguered residents, it reaffirmed the team’s commitment to the new vehicle project which had been placed on hold due to the Covid19 pandemic and its impact on fundraising. The decision was taken and from that point, it was full steam ahead on the fundraising. Thanks to the team being made up of diverse volunteers from all walks of life they were able to cost the fit out and designs quickly and accurately to produce the new vehicle.
“Beyond the floods and into 2021....”
During this current year the team has found itself called upon more and more to support water incidents. These included a dog walker who was late returning from a riverside walk, and sadly located deceased in the water, supporting our sister teams in Warwickshire with a canal search, and most notably in rescuing 4 persons from the river Nene whose canoe had overturned. As a result of this, the team has invested more into its technical rescue equipment, with additional PPE, throw lines and reach poles. Over the coming winter we will be training with Rescue 3 Europe, several more volunteers to be Swiftwater rescue qualified. This new vehicle will allow them to get closer to the waters edge, with the right equipment, and in a timely manner; all vital to help save lives when every second counts.
NSAR Spokesperson:
“Covid19 has been a huge impact on us from a funding perspective, but we never lost sight of the need for this new technical rescue vehicle. We have seen the devastating speed with which water can impact lives, and how rapid actions can help save property and lives. We also wanted to make sure this brand-new vehicle will be fit for purpose and built to last. We must be sure of reliability and durability, hence choosing this Mercedes and the fit out that we have. We also want to thank all the supporters and trusts who have backed us, recognising the positive impact we have been able to bring to the community we come from and serve.”
