A LIMERICK search and rescue organisation is seeking new members and raising funds for equipment.
Limerick Land Search Team (LLST) was established last October by volunteers who felt there was a need for a land-based search team in the Limerick area. The group currently has 15 members and is on call 24/7, but it is now aiming to reinforce its manpower and equipment resources.
Tom Harvey, a volunteer with LLST, said: “We have been conducting intensive training over the winter months. All of our members are receiving instruction on first aid map reading and land and shoreline search techinques.
“Our primary goal is to assist with finding a missing person in the shortest time possible and work with other groups to achieve this goal.”
The core structure of the group is divided into three teams, two for land searches and one for shoreline searches. A team of five is mobilised on the initial callout and the rest of the team then follows.
Mr Harvey explained: “We would hope over time to expand our membership but given the intensive training involved we are limited to 15 members for now. We are asking for the public’s help to get equipment so we can improve the group.
“Our response times in training from a call being received to mobilising is 30 minutes and we hope to improve this over time. We are in need of a stretcher, personal flotation devices and torches for nighttime searches.
“We also have received an offer of counselling services from Resolve Counselling Ltd for the group to help with debriefs after a search.”
