COMMUNITY GROUPS and individuals involved in hill walking were encouraged yesterday to visit a new mountain rescue base serving the Wicklow Mountains and surrounding areas.
The base, at Trooperstown near Laragh and Glendalough, is the first purpose-built mountain rescue facility in Ireland. After its opening yesterday by President Michael D Higgins, the rescue team has its first base in 27 years of activity.
Up to now mountain rescue groups, which came together under the umbrella of the Glen of Imaal/Red Cross Mountain Rescue team, had to keep vehicles and equipment stored at the homes of members.
The new building includes a secure vehicle storage area and facilities for cleaning rescue equipment, drying and storage. There are also training and operations rooms with communications equipment.
Last year the rescue team was called out 66 times – the same volume as 2010, when severe snowstorms hit. Unusually there was practically no snow in 2011, according to the team’s annual report.
“This could be seen in the reduction of incidents during December 2011 – only one call-out compared to nine incidents in December 2010 during the snow,” the report said. Had there been snow, the team would have expected more than 70 incidents.
The rescue team encountered three fatalities in 2011 and 35 people were carried off the mountains in stretchers.
Eleven people were reported missing near Lugnaquilla or the Glen of Imaal army firing range.
The figures included five flood-related call-outs and one road traffic incident.
The team said the numbers of people enjoying recreation in the hills continued to increase.
It is also seeing a rise in call-outs closer to the city with the opening of the Dublin Mountains Way, which straddles the border with Wicklow.
Speaking at the opening, Mr Higgins said the dedication of the mountain rescue teams was “reaffirming the old decencies in Irish life”.
Chairman of the rescue team, Mark Casciani, said the organisation wanted to see the public interacting with the service through its new base.
The team plans activities and events this year to ensure individuals and groups can continue to stay in touch, visit and use the new facilities.
The team is activated at the request of An Garda Síochána, usually after a 999/112 call. Details of activities are available on the website wicklowmountainrescue.ie
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