SEMRA's most recent recruits were treated to a guided tour of the Irish Coast Guard HeliBase at Waterford Airport recently, as part of their preparation to become full team members. The visit included an opportunity to get "up close and personal" with the magnificent Sikorsky S61 rescue helicopter. This aircraft, with its distinctive red and white livery, has been the difference between life and death for many a person in distress on land and sea. No less impressive are the inspirational men and women who make up its crew, on the ground and in the air. SEMRA is very grateful to them all for the warm welcome received on the night and for giving our newest members, in their own words, "the highlight of the training so far". As a token of SEMRA's appreciation, a framed team insignia was presented to Dara Fitzpatrick (pilot) on behalf of all our esteemed colleagues based at Waterford.
The picture shows from left to right:
Matt Joy, Deputy Team Leader, SEMRA
Ray Bradfield, Deputy Team Leader, SEMRA
Christy Mahady, Winch Crew, IRCG
Dara Fitzpatrick, Pilot, IRCG
Mark McDermott, Pilot, IRCG
Mike Sandover, Winch Crew, IRCG
Paddy Looney, Deputy Team Leader, SEMRA
Members of South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association made their TV debuts recently when a team training day was featured in a special edition of Nationwide, RTE's long-running magazine programme. A camera crew followed the team as it went through a real-time scenario which involved deployment of personnel and equipment by the Coast Guard Sikorsky S61 helicopter, followed by a search and rescue.
A camera crew from the popular RTE programme Nationwide accompanied SEMRA on a training day in the Galtees yesterday. A search and rescue exercise took place in which personnel and equipment were airlifted to the top of the Black Road by the Coast Guard Sikorsky S-61 Search & Rescue helicopter. Two team 4x4 vehicles also attended the incident site where an exercise casualty was located, assessed, treated and evacuated.