With considerable thanks to GMP who supplied the equipment, and team radio officer Dave Healey who turned grey overnight with the worry of introducing the new kit, the team this evening moved over to the new High Band Mountain Rescue Radio system, after operating on Low band for many years now. Our radio equipment was becoming increasingly more difficult to maintain, and combined with the intended removal of the radio frequencies we were operating on, the time to replace our kit was well past. (This is a national issue, and we are grateful to GMP for supporting our team and Oldham MRT in this very expensive yet essential radio re equipment programme).

Dave Healey surveys the scene in the very early hours of Wednesday morning, after the preparation for the new radio system

With 45 radio handsets now in team use (we had, when they all worked that is ! 22 handsets previously) along with all our vehicles, Control Trailer and base equipped, the team has now made an unprecedented leap in its radio communications equipment holding. Previously we had the use of only two radio channels on our old sets, with the limited flexibility this gave, combined with radio transmission interference with neighbouring teams. We now have multiple channels and frequencies to operate on, including the common ability within the handset issued to every team member, to talk not only on Mountain Rescue frequencies, but also on ground to air, and Ambulance frequencies. Given our current operations, this will give us a huge increase in our operational abilities and cross agency working and communications. (Does anybody know what we can do with a huge pile of low band radio handsets, their battery chargers, specially made cases, vehicle sets and ancillary equipment, for which the team no longer has a use for ! If so contact Dave Healey on dh@boltonmrt.org.uk )

The handsets on parade for the last time before being given out to the Team.

Again our considerable thanks goes to Greater Manchester Police for purchasing this brand new, state of the art equipment for us, and to the many Police Officers and civilian employees, who over ( at least ) the last three years have worked hard behind the scenes to make this re – equipment a reality, for our team and our Colleagues at Oldham MRT. (Note, Lancashire Constabulary have fully supported BPMRT and RPMRT with the same system, as has North Wales Police, with our friends at NEWSAR team).

So just how do you show 45 team members how to operate their new toys, Dave Healey shows how..