Team Training Officer Dave Marsh attended the second meeting of the 3rd Sector Group due to the Team Leader being away enjoying himself skiing in Italy. As previously, the meeting was hosted by the British Red Cross at its Cornbrook Estate, Manchester, offices.

The aims of the Greater Manchester 3rd Sector (Voluntary Agencies) Group are to provide a forum to maximise the contribution of the Voluntary Agencies and Faith Communities to resilience planning and response in the Greater Manchester conurbation, including Manchester Airport.

The meeting was Chaired by Kevin Place from the British Red Cross. Also in attendance were representatives from Greater Manchester RAYNET, Rotary, Manchester Airport Chaplaincy (Co Ordinating Chaplain present) the Area Co-Ordinator for Emergency Response from the British Red Cross, Civil Contingencies Officer from AGMA (Association of Greater Manchester Authorities), the Regional Emergency Operations Officer for St John Ambulance, and the Jewish Emergency Team.

This meeting is the latest in a series of predecessor meetings over a great many years, previously attended by Peter Hyde of Oldham MRT, and occasionally by our Team Leader Garry Rhodes MBE which has seen the various voluntary agencies working in Greater Manchester come together to discuss items of mutual interest in cases of emergency eg flooding; gas explosions; major fires and severe weather.

Tonight’s meeting commencing at 19:00 and finished at 21:30. As before, Dave’s attendance at this meeting was to represent the interests of those Mountain Rescue Teams operating within Greater Manchester.

Please also see website ‘News’ report dated Thursday 24th October 2013.
The next meeting of this group is scheduled for Wednesday 26th March 2014.