Today at the very kind invitation of Bolton Council, the Bolton MRT attended the third annual ‘Get Ready for Winter’ event, which was held on Victoria Square in front of the Town Hall in Bolton.

Organised by The Civil Contingencies Unit at Bolton Council, this event is part of an on going initiative involving Government departments, various agencies and the voluntary sector, giving people information about how to keep safe and warm during the winter months and encouraging people to be resilient in their planning.

Its purpose is also to demonstrate how all the partner agencies work together meeting some of the duties of the Civil Contingencies Act including warning and informing the public and co-operation and information sharing between partner agencies.

This was an excellent opportunity to show the population of Bolton what support is available should the weather conditions deteriorate to such a degree as to cause significant disruption to daily life.

The event was officially opened by the Mayor of Bolton at 10.30hrs, with all participants having arrived earlier to set up their displays in the square.

The day was supported by various agencies (both statutory and voluntary) including the British Red Cross, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (including USAR and Fire Accelerant Investigation Dog Handler Mick Dewar and his two dogs Ace & Lucy), Northwest 4X4 Response, North West Ambulance Service, Bolton MBC, the Highways Agency, Environment Agency and United Utilities amongst them.

We attended with one of our four Land Rover Mountain Rescue Ambulances (Radio Call sign Bolton Mobile 3) our Incident Control Vehicle (BM6) and our 3.4 metre long semi rigid inflatable SAR Boat, also setting up a search and rescue equipment display alongside both our vehicles.

Nine team operational Call Out list members attended, including Alistair Greenough our Training Officer, DVSD Dog Handler Dave Marsh, Call Out Contact Mike Marsh, Nick Berry, John Dickinson, Steve O’Hara, Matthew Hailwood, Life Vice President Alan James and David Crawford.

In addition Team Support Group member Iain Clarkson also attended.

The Mayoress of Bolton Jacqueline Tracey kindly paid our Incident Control Vehicle a visit and was given a “guided tour” of our mapping and radio systems contained within this important vehicle.

Thanks to the kindness of those who visited our display today, we are pleased to announce that we raised £46.27p in donations.

We extend our thanks to all at Bolton MBC Civil Contingencies Unit for organising and co-ordinating yet again this event, and also giving all who attended an excellent opportunity to come together to showcase all the many diverse organisations and services which operate to keep all in our local communities safe and healthy.

Please also see website ‘News’ reports dated Wednesday 31st October, Thursday 25th October 2012, Thursday 31st October and Friday 1st November 2013.