Thornbury-based police worked with volunteers from Avon & Somerset Search and Rescue during the recent wintry weather to make sure people were safe.
Volunteer Alan George based himself and the charity’s four-wheel drive ambulance at Thornbury Police Station on Wednesday January 08 and Thursday January 09 2010.
He said: “The officers and staff made me very welcome and I was able to help them get out and about.
“Like all the team volunteers I am first-aid trained and so I drove the neighbourhood Police Community Support Officers to check on the welfare of vulnerable people living in areas made difficult to get to by the snow. Thankfully everyone we visited was fine.
“We also checked on a teenage man after people called in to say he was slumped on a bench in Rudgeway. I checked him over and he was cold but ok. He didn’t want any formal medical attention and was taken home.”
Thornbury Neighbourhood Sergeant Craig Ogborne said: “I was delighted that Alan volunteered to give us a helping hand with his specialist services during this severe weather. It’s another example of how police work with other agencies to make sure we give the best service we can.
“As well as helping officers check on vulnerable community members in response to calls from the public and other agencies, having his 4×4 on hand in addition to our own 4×4 vehicles improved our ability to carry out routine patrols and respond to local issues.”
Avon and Somerset Search and Rescue team volunteers help to find lost people, carry out cliff and waterside rescue and help get people down from high structures in support of Avon and Somerset Constabulary. They often work alongside the ambulance and fire and rescue services.
All the volunteers have first aid training, with some being qualified paramedics and doctors.
For more information about the charity, visit www.ascrt.com.
Source: Avon and Somerset Police
