LandSAR Wanganui is in the business of rescue but its members needed rescuing from the $3000 cost of paying for their own equipment.
The volunteer Wanganui search and rescue group is now an incorporated society and can apply to organisations for funding. Previously it came under the national LandSAR organisation.
The group was successful in its application to Pub Charity, and now the 24 members are sporting new high visibility Swazi rain clothing to the tune of $11,000.
The volunteer members cover the area up to the Patea River, Waitotara, up to Taumarunui, around a part of Mt Ruapehu, and some of the Ruahine Ranges.
LandSAR Wanganui is a part of the Central Northern Alliance which includes Ruapehu, Turangi, Ruapehu Alpine Rescue Organisation, Taupo and Taihape.
The Wanganui group is affiliated to the national LandSAR body and provides land-based search and rescue services to the police and the general public.
LandSAR Wanganui operations manager Colin Wright said the police received the first call to an incident, and were responsible for the organisations and running the management team in any rescues.
They relied on Department of Conservation members who knew the land where searches took place and landowners in the area.
The nature of LandSAR rescues demanded searchers be fitted out with high-quality equipment, and the members were grateful to those local and national organisations which had financially supported the Wanganui organisation.
Interested in joining LandSAR? Contact the LandSAR Wanganui chairman: stewart@safemode.co.nz
