Tynemouth RNLI volunteer takes part in search and rescue exchange in Iceland

The international exchange brought together selected search and rescue (SAR) personnel from services across Europe, providing an opportunity to share knowledge, learn from different approaches to rescue and experience the challenges faced by SAR teams in another country.

For Gordon, a volunteer crew member at Tynemouth RNLI, the visit provided a unique opportunity to experience the work of ICE-SAR, which delivers search and rescue across both maritime and land environments throughout Iceland.

During the week, Gordon took part in a wide range of practical exercises, including swift-water rescue, all-terrain vehicle operations, maritime search and rescue, casualty care and medical response, cliff rescue, searching, firefighting and helicopter rescue.

The programme also provided an insight into the challenges presented by Iceland’s volcanic landscape. The crew exchange included learning about the impact of volcanic activity on communities and how ICE-SAR teams adapt their operations and response to these changing conditions.

Gordon said:

“The week in Iceland was an incredible experience and I feel very fortunate to have been selected to represent the RNLI as part of the IMRF Crew Exchange.

“Being able to work alongside search and rescue personnel from other services across Europe, share our own experiences and learn from the expertise of ICE-SAR was a fantastic opportunity.

“We were involved in a wide range of exercises. Each exercise provided something different to take away and consider in our own search and rescue environments.

“I would like to thank our hosts, and everyone at ICE-SAR, for their incredible hospitality and for making the week such a memorable experience.

“I have returned with a huge amount of knowledge and many ideas that I can bring back to Tynemouth RNLI. I have made some great friends from SAR partners across Europe and taken away memories that will stay with me for a very long time.

The IMRF Crew Exchange programme provides opportunities for search and rescue personnel to experience how colleagues in other countries operate, encouraging the sharing of knowledge, skills and experience across the international SAR community.

For Tynemouth RNLI, opportunities such as this also provide volunteers with valuable experience that can be shared with their fellow crew members and contribute to continued learning and development within the station.

Gordon said the experience had reinforced the importance of collaboration between search and rescue organisations.

“Search and rescue is built around people working together, and the opportunity to learn from colleagues from different countries really demonstrates how much we can learn from one another.

“It was a privilege to represent the RNLI and Tynemouth, and I am incredibly grateful to everyone who made the exchange possible.”

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RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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