As part of continuing upgrading of the emergency response on Montserrat, a team of officers from the United Kingdom Fire Service Search and Rescue Team arrived in Montserrat on Saturday, 13 April, 1996.
The team is led by Ted Phrean, one of Her Majesty's Fire Service Inspectors, who is also the coordinator of the United Kingdom Search and Rescue Teams. He is accompanied by Divisional Officer, Phil Webb and Station Officer, Peter Crooke of the Hampshire Fire Brigade and Station Officer, Dave Dickson of the West Sussex Fire Brigade.
Six rescue teams have been formed consisting of two Police, one Fire Department and three Montserrat Defence Force members who are undergoing intensive training in search and rescue techniques to enable them to enter areas where persons may be trapped and safely remove casualties to the nearest medical centre.
The United Kingdom team will be in Montserrat for a ten day period during which time they will also be examining and giving advice to the Fire Department. The Chief Fire Officer, Basil Walters is coordinating their activities during their time on Montserrat. Additional search and rescue equipment is being sourced from the United Kingdom by John Adlam of the ODA Emergency Aid Department.
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