1. Dedicated Technical Rescue Capability
Area Manager Stephens
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service

2. Aim To detail the MFRS Technical Rescue capability
To detail the advantages of a dedicated Technical Rescue capability
To detail the limitations of a dedicated Technical Rescue capability

3. Background
Dedicated Technical Rescue capability introduced in November 2004
View taken that it was achievable for a small group to attain and maintain a high level of Technical Rescue skills
Merseyside USAR team includes on duty element (Croxteth) and retained element (Cheshire)

4. Resources Rescue Tender Rapid Response Vehicle
Heavy Rescue Unit/General Purpose Unit
DCLG USAR Modules
SAR Dog Team
Marine Rescue Team (located at Seacombe Ferry Terminal)

5. Personnel Core staffing level of 44 personnel 10 on duty at all times
Further 5 on retained cover at all times
Cheshire FRS also provide 5 on retained cover to make up ND capability
12 Green Book Technicians in MRT

6. Core Skills USAR technician Rope operator
Swift water rescue technician
RTAi
FPOS (Co-responder)
IOSH
WLA

7. Operational Deployments
Average of 1319 incidents per year for SART
Includes an average of 12 collapsed structure incidents per year
Average of 146 incidents per year for MRT

8. Advantages
Rapid response to provide technical rescue support at incidents
Allows for maintenance of technical rescue skills
High performing team who share organisational values
Significant resilience resource

9. Limitations
Capability works in Merseyside because of the size of the County
High training costs
Significant shift losses to training