Hampshire Technical Rescue Unit

Hampshire's Technical Rescue Unit specialised in a wide range of rescue techniques and responded to emergency calls in the late 90s through to around 2010. Set up in 1989, the Unit was on 24 hour call out via Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service Control, the Unit specialised in rescue from difficult access risks, including high rise buildings, cliffs, chimneys, cranes, bridges, silos, aerials, tunnels, ducting and shafts, petrochemical tanks, excavations, ship holds, voids and cavities. Due to the extensive training given to the services, the Unit and Charity that supports it is slowly being run down and in time will be de-solved. The team of highly trained specialists were able to support the existing emergency services with: Rope Rescue from high rise structures, deep shafts and confined spaces Confined Space Rescue from extremely confined spaces and hazardous atmospheres using long duration breathing apparatus and communications systems Trench Rescue & Structural Collapse using pneumatic shoring, lifting and stabilizing equipment Operational Support including animal rescue, heavy lifting, recovery, safety at height, suicide intervention, atmospheric monitoring and specialist cutting operations ( chainsaw &limited access ), storm damage support Advanced Medical Support – specially trained paramedics and doctors are able to access casualties in the most inaccessible of locations and provide advanced pre-hospital care until full retrieval could be initiated The unit was comprised primarily of fire-fighters, augmented by specially trained paramedics and doctors who work closely with Fire Service crews at all incidents. As a recognised blue light response there was no charge for any service rendered by the Unit and no cost to the taxpayer. Substantial operational funding is provided by grants and major sponsors including the Daily Mail Group, British Telecom and ADT.