Belfast Community Rescue Service
The Community Rescue Service (CRS) is a charitable organisation operated by volunteers from communities across Northern Ireland.
It was established in co-operation with the Police to support them with their statutory responsibilities for the safety of the general public. Our main support function is crisis intervention, covering 62 km of the River Bann from Lough Neagh (at Toomebridge) down stream to Seaton’s marina, near the Barmouth. Another one of our main roles is to provide the resources required to search for missing persons throughout the entire region of Northern Ireland. All of our ground search teams who provide this vital service are trained to the highest possible standards, as laid out and certified by ALSAR (Association of Low Land Search and Rescue), and approved by ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers)
The organisation is also involved in crisis intervention, rural and urban search, water rescue and community support and education.
Volunteers undergo regular specialised training and this is conducted to the highest possible standards. Training is certified by external regulated bodies or organisations such as PIPS (Suicide Prevention Service), ASSIST (suicide Intervention Training), City and Guilds, RYA (Royal Yachting Association), PSNI (Police Service Northern Ireland), Red Cross, St Johns Ambulance, ISA (Irish Sailing Association), ALSAR (Association of Lowland Search and Rescue), Northern trust, IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) and Sea Training International as well as many others.
These regulated external organisations develop the skill set and competency of the CRS volunteers in advanced first aid, casualty handling, crisis intervention, boat handling skills, search techniques, search management and planning, advanced driving skills, VHF communications and conflict management to name but a few.
Like ALSAR, we recognise that a search and rescue volunteer is a person who, of their own free will, gives their time, effort and skill to lifesaving search and rescue operations, without expectation of profit and as part of an organisation recognised by the statutory authorities.
There are currently over 100 volunteers who are trained in line with the required standards and syllabus These volunteers are strategically placed throughout the region and are ready to respond at a moments notice, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year.
As well as being a primary responder, CRS is an entirely complimentary service dedicated to assisting, not only those who find themselves in need of help, but also to organisations and agencies who require support.
